Story:If she hadn't approached the topic with such seriousness I think I would have shrieked in sheer delight. The first words out of my 17 year old daughter's mouth when I arrived home were, "Mom, I've been watching the news and I have questions."
As a news junkie I often lamented that my children didn't share my passion for current events, international matters and all things political. In fact I got quite accustomed to two sets of eyes that would glaze over when I would begin a discussion of the news stories of the day, and simply took comfort in the knowledge that even if they weren't contributing to the discussion perhaps they were at least absorbing some of it.
So when my daughter announced she had been watching the news and wanted to talk I practically leaped out of my skin, only to discover what she wanted to talk about was illegal immigration. Could she have picked a more longstanding, multifaceted topic than this one? I started in with my opinions but within moments realized it was best for me to stop talking--and just listen to what my daughter had to say. Her thoughts were insightful and heartfelt, motivated not by political maneuvering but by thinking about everyone affected by the reality of the situation.
The spending patterns, on-line habits and attitudes toward family, friends and social institutions of teenagers have been studied extensively. Findings vary slightly but patterns emerge. Teenagers spend between 7 hours 45 minutes to 11 hours per day in front of screens. They get their "news" from social media sites and indicate they aren't really concerned with whether it's factual because they say it doesn't really affect them. 70% report there are no rules at home regarding their cell phones or computers, 75% have never loaded a washing machine, and 35% have never cooked a meal.
We can shake our heads in disbelief, despair for their futures--and ours as a result--or, we can accept our responsibility in this equation. We have placed the bar too low. We've reduced our expectations of young people and they have responded. Where little is expectedlittle will be given. Where we don't require accountabilitynone will be leveled.
We can conduct surveys, study results, and analyze the ramifications all day but they don't tell us the whole story. It might give a snapshot into a demographic of those most likely to respond to survey questions but it's not reflective of many of the teenagers I know, or the ones you likely know. They volunteer in their churches, school and community. They jump at chances to serve in soup kitchens, participate in food drives and pack food hampers. They coach children's sports teams. They organize clubs and run events. They raise funds to dig wells and build schools. They are willing to try and to risk to respond to needs around them.
We are handing them a global mess: crushing poverty, increased terrorism, corrupt regimes, overcrowded refugee camps, prolific drug trade, rising international tensions and economic crises. Many we share this planet with lack access to clean water and healthy food. Education is inaccessible in a lot of places. Violence and conflict takes too many lives. This is happening on our watch.
As each generation of custodians steps up to tackle challenges, they do so building on what was started in the past and implementing ideas that will carry us into the future. Are our young people ready to take up their place in all this? If they aren't, we have to be willing to accept our part in their lack of preparation. We need to listen to what they have to say and be prepared to answer their questions, even when it means we don't have the answers or when we need to acknowledge we failed to act in time. If we want them to care, we better be demonstrating we care. We have to be mentors if we expect them to take up the mantle.
So let's raise the level of discussion and the expectation for them, and for us, and then get ready for the results. It's not about politics but people. It's not about getting stalled at the issues but moving forward on the ideas. We have things to doand so do they. Let them know we have limitless hopes for them--just like people have for us. That's my outlook.
