As An 18 year old high school junior I've noticed many things. One thing I've noticed that bothers me most is the lack of intrest in anything. It's amazing to me how many teenagers have no passion. No one seems to care.
When I go to school and watch the students interact around me, all they seem to talk about its sex, alcohol and partying. No one is discussing world events, their future, or their passions. Life for teenagers has become so shallow. I find this is due to the amount of pop-culture teens take in. Think about it.
About 98% of you reading this know who Paris Hilton is; about 95% of you know she made a sex tape. I'm willing make the statement that - whether you admit it or not - you regard Paris as a hero, an icon, or a sex symbol in some way. However have you really thought about this role model of yours? What has she done for society? What are her passions? What has she ralied up against? Wow, bet thats hard to think about. It's sad to say but the answer is not much of anything. If teens have role models like this how are we supposed to take a stand on anything?
Ok, we've looked at our role models but now lets look at us. I know that personally I complain at the world a lot, and I'm sure you do too; but have you done anything to change it? As teenagers we are constaly complaining about some law, a political offical, a school rule, or fashion satement, that we dont like; but do we do anything about it? No, most of us don't. Most of us do nothing to change the world. We all simply complain about it. History has shown that complaing that does nothing, but action does something.
I challenge all of you to get out their and change your world. Become passionate in something; no matter what it is! Find something you love, you hate, want to change, and inforce it, get rid of it, or change it. Just get out their and become a part of your world. This is your world folks, you're going to be running it in a few years, so get with it!
Melissa
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If we significantly increased the incidence of apathy and turned it into something constructive, the world's problems would be less than half of what they are now.
I totaly agree with you. I hear so many stories about a party where everyone got drunk, high, and had sex. It's becoming very monotonous. I, unfortunately, was one of those kids. I never went to parties, got high, or had sex but I drank often. Then I got together with my boyfriend who introduced me to music. Now, I'm learning to play the guitar and I spend my weekends and breaks doing more productive things than 'hanging out and drinking'.
Thats awesome!! Good for you!! Hopefully other teens will follow your example!
I totally agree with you. I couldn't have put it better myself!
Very valid points. I hope people take to heart what you've said and try and get more involved.
You are so right about this. Everything is about what's popular and what's in at the moment. No one ever stops to think about the future. Everyone will not suddenly drop everything they are doing for fun to go do something productive. We live in such a self-absorbed world. Everything is I, never us.
Such is a bad part of modern society. Americans aren't the only ones, I'd surmise.
I view Paris Hilton as some rich hot chick. That's all I feel necessary to say.
I do care about global events - because they directly affect my goals and aspirations. One day I hope to be a politician - I might not be rediculously rich, but I'm sure my time will come.
I try to get people around me to think abstractly - I think that's the first key to "reteaching" our society. People need to stop thinking in the uniform way they do now - they need to start thinking in ways that don't seem quite, err, right. I always pose to them strange questions that on the surface don't make sense at all, but the human mind tries to make sense of things, as it is it's trademark. For some reason, all the teenagers around me think I'm some supergenius - really, I'm not that much more intelligent than any other kid. I'm just more prone to think abstractly - I think most of the kids in my classes could easily surpass my own intelligence, but they don't, because they all think uniformly and linearly.
The question the poster poses is valid, however, vaguely worded. The only think my mind is officially supposed to care about is my personal well being, and then the well-being of those important to me. However, I'm sure the sense you mean is much more modern - whether I care about global issues.
Yes. Yes I do.
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If a society is willing to give freedom for temporary security, they deserve neither.
Paris Hilton is ugly.
Anyways, I go to this high school (with around 3000 other students)that's ranked top 50 in the U.S. All we talk about is "OMIGOD I HAVE AN A- WHAT DO I DO"
or
"WHICH SCHOOL U GOT INTO?"
and it seems like only Berkeley, UCLA, and the Ivy Leagues are the "good schools"
the rest of the schools are from the "dumpster"
only people whom major in CS or biochemstry are smart""
the others are stupid.
come on, talk about the extreme now.
I partially agree with what you say, but remember, not "all teeangers" are like that.
Welcome to high school.
The topics of the day were sex, drugs, rock & roll and in some circles, FFA and hunting issues when I was in school (1988-1991). On what basis do you get the notion that your experience is something new?
I don't at all. I never implied that I did.
While the situation may never fully change, we can still work to improve it, on a personal level and on a broader scale. Each one of us can spark discussions with our friends about deeper issues. Each one of us can write letters to marketers and companies asking them to promote learning and education. Sure, there's a problem, but that doesn't mean we can't work for a solution.
Don't worry, you are not the only one. I am passionate at everything I do. I have always challenged myself to make a difference in the community I live. Do you live in New York City area? If so, I would like to invite you to the Global Kids Conference. I help this non-profit organization creating the conference. This year's theme is Media. Since you are passaionate about changing the world and stuff, I think this conference is fit for you very well.
Here is the link for more info: www.globalkids.org
I agree with a lot of the points that you're making as far as negative influences.
Paris Hilton is an example of one of the shallow, hollow role models in today's society. What is there about her to appreciate than her looks, her body, and her power in wealth? I, personally, don't find her convincingly congenial. However, it is hard to establish good and solid role models in the mind of a teenager, which is still developing and essentially looking for trouble to get into.
As an interesting fact: During adolescence, all the way up to age 21, the frontal lobe of the brain is still developing. This section of the brain is what largely contributes to our ability to reason and make responsible decisions which is why, in most cases anyways, we seem to feel our view of the world expanding and increasing in dimension with age. This makes us incredibly suseptible to making these bad decisions, especially when pressed upon by a society that is largely advertising these sort of actions during a time of such stressful and influential development.
However, one must question: How effective can censorship really be? The more we seem to cover, the more teens seem to find out about those things and fight against their censorship. And it's not like they don't find ways to get into messes anyways. In support to this fact, alcoholism is far less prevelant in countries without drinking ages because it is not seen as something "cool" and "daring" to do than in countries that strictly enforce a drinking age. Although, one could argue that this same brain development process is a sensitive consideration for keeping the drinking age in effect.
As a branch off of this entry, I'd like to know some of your opinions: In a battle of censorship vs. acceptance, what are some of your opinions?
I agree with you! Great information there thanks! I do not support censorship at all!! I really hope that my piece did not come off in that way.
I feel that almost everything should be put out in the open (when I say almost I mean your own personal information should be kept to you). Censorship makes society worse by what you said. I believe things should be accepted, as well as other ideas. however, I do feel that if my generation wants to be effective in anyway as adults we must start becoming active. I know that am not the first one to make this statement, and I never said i was, I just feel very strongly about this.
I'm glad you brought this up, society should be pushing forth more positive role models now at days.
Yes!!! Society lacks this though. Hopefully with the help of my peers this will one day be changed. If only we could over come ignorance...
No, no one cares about anything anymore. We like gossips and celebrities and we've stopped pondering upon the meaning of life.
Young adults these days do seem to be preoccupied with the materialistic things, or wasting their time on activities that are in no way productive.
We all hear about the retention rates that seem to occur in some colleges. At my school in particular, (Sacramento State), the retention rates are somewhat at a high level. It is estimated that once a freshmen begins their first year at Sac State, about 20% of them won't even be around for the second semester. For the rest, it's either they make it through their first year and continue their education or they end up dropping out in the first semester of their sophomore year.
I have seen this happen among many of my peers I entered college with. My ex-boyfriend, for example, wasted no time jumping head first into the party scene once school started. Not only did he party and drink way too much, he started interacting with the other girls in the dorm residence and cheated on me several times with them. In the end, he had flunked the majority of his classes and was immediately put on academic probation. Upon entering the second semester, he somewhat got his act together and took over some of the classes that he had failed. While he managed to pass the college-prep classes he was required to take, he had failed his other classes and is now facing expulsion from the school.
All I am talking about is everyone's need to find their purpose in life. I'm not saying that everyone has to go to college. But if you want to go to college, take it seriously and learn to balance your social life with your education. Attending college is a major test of responsibility and discipline. We need to be responsible for our education and we need to discipline ourselves to know when it is the right time to do homework and when is the right time to party.
From the way you talk, I would be willing to bet on your being successful in life. Way too many people your age aren't thinking about their future; all they really care about is right now. Parties, social life, and peer pressure, etc.
Seems like you understand the principle of delayed gratification; i.e., study and work toward your goals now and focus on what you want to accomplish; party later if you must. Rewards for people with your mindset are extremely high.
You deserve some credit for this. And concerning your ex-boyfriend, its a good thing you got to see the real him and realize hes not the one for you. Guys always put their best image forth at the beginning of a relationship, but down the line you will see the real them. Charm is what a guy wants you to see; character is what he is when you're not around.
"Put your faith completely in Jesus Christ, not in any man or any movement."
~ Robert L. Sumner
"When I go to school and watch the students interact around me, all they seem to talk about its sex, alcohol and partying. No one is discussing world events, their future, or their passions. Life for teenagers has become so shallow."
... Maybe what's become shallow is the life of adults, "real world" life. I can tell you for a fact that sex, drinking, and partying is more than capable of making you feel more alive than "planning your future" and "changing the world". And when it comes down to it, what's more important, what should deserve more attention- "accomplishing work" or FEELING ALIVE.
(Not to say that planning and working are value-less enterprises; rather, what I mean is that these are empty goals in and of themselves... they are important only insofar as they cultivation a feeling a vitality... a fact which the majority of people lose sight of)