GENERATION OF PARADOX
Our children are
at one time the bane of our existence and a
constant joy to us. Enigma is an understatement when it comes to
understanding their behaviour.
Inside them, from the day they are born, is a time-bomb waiting
to explode - first with questions - and then, when the parental
knowledge-bank has been exhausted, with more answers on different
aspects of life, than dumfounded parents have ever dreamt of.
Independence is high on the list of priorities as our children
grow. If anyone has the temerity to suggest that the child
resembles, in
any way, shape or form, one or other of its parents, or has
certain
traits, found in father or mother, or, God forbid, both, the
independent-
minded child will instantly refute this. This may then be
regarded by the
parent concerned as a snub, or a personal affront to them. That
is a
mistake. All the child is, in fact doing, is expressing a desire
to be
regarded as an individual and not some clone of their parent, no
matter
how virtuous, handsome, or personable that parent is.
The modern child is generally more forthright, than say,
children of the fifties and sixties. This stems from parents, on
the
whole, encouraging honesty and not being as heavy-handed as
parents
of bygone eras. Children used to sometimes be frightened to
proffer an
opinion, for fear of parental retribution. Again, this honesty
can offend
people, because it is very seldom tempered with tact, and can
sometimes be construed as bad manners.
More and more children nowadays are much more socially
aware that their counterparts of thirty or forty years ago. They
are
aware of the danger of AIDS and drugs, of the rape of the
rainforests,
the ozone layer, cruelty to animals, and all manner of
molestation,
figurative and practical. They will argue the toss with their
parents, and
whereas previous generations showed deference to their elders,
today's
youth will plug on until they have made their point.
The old adage, 'Children Must Be Seen and Not Heard', is as
outdated for them as the 'Penny Farthing', and yet they love to
watch
old cartoons and movies on TV. They will take advice from their
friends, even though that same advice may be ignored, if offered
by
their parents.
As was stated earlier in this piece, the modern child is a great
enigma.
No generation has ever produced a more caring youth, but at
the same time, no generation has ever produced worse mannered
offspring.
They campaign about eggs being free-range, but would not
dream of offering an elderly person a seat on the bus.
They will attend rock concerts, where they are packed like
sardines for hours, but will not stay in the same room for five
minutes
if an elderly relative comes to call.
They will endure all sorts of weather conditions to walk the
streets with their friends, where their hair gets soaked and
blown
asunder, but try a gentle pat on their head as you pass their
chair, and
they will throw a fit.
Love 'em or hate 'em, the fact remains that as regards the future
they are all we've got.
So, good luck to the quirky, caring youth of today, and let's
hope that
they make a better job of the future than we did of the past and
present.
Copyright Peter Jones 1992