Kids these days!!!

Jodi - posted on 05/20/2012

But do you not think, MeMe, that previous generations have also faced their own unique challenges where the parents have also struggled to find ways to discipline, or have found that the "traditional" discipline of the day that their parents used just isn't appropriate anymore? Or that they have had to change their parenting style? Think Elvis Presley and those gyrating hips. I think I can also say that my parents disciplined very differently to the way they were disciplined as children, because the social environment changed a lot.



I also fail to understand this term about parents wanting to be their kids' friend. Is that used simply because these parents ARE friends with their kids and respect them as people, as opposed to what was traditionally a power relationship?

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 05/20/2012

Yes, I think our environment has changed over time. I do think many parents struggle on how to properly discipline without hurting the child internally. Since there is the "new" parenting style. The new parenting style discludes spanking or excessive punishments (they are popularly frowned upon, for good reason). Many parents are unsure of what is left without these techniques because it is what they were raised with (which btw are not good forms to discipline/punishment). Which means, there are WAY more parents that do not discipline. They want to be their kids friend, rather than their parent. Since they are afraid that if they do discipline CPS will show up at their door. It's kinda like "if you can't beat them, join them". Really, too many parents coddle their children and don't let them learn on their own.



There is also the problem that this day in age, in most households both parents have to work or choose to work. There is less time at home for many parents and therefore they do not take the extra precautions to install strict boundaires and consequences. Which is why if you do work, it is that much more important to have strict boundaries and consequences and to follow up with your children daily, which can be hard when you have so much to get done when you get home. I know so many working families that do not sit down and eat supper together. They all eat at different times and often whatever they want. There is no set time every day for everyone to come together and talk about their day.



Then, there are just some parents that are f'en lazy and just don't give two craps, one way or the other. It is too much work to discipline, so they allow their kids to do as they wish.



I think many parents have raised some very entitled and lazy children. They have not taught them to work for what they want. They have not taught them to respect their property and why would they when they didn't have to work for it? Kids are staying living at home WAY longer than they used to. Today it is not uncommon for a 30 year old to still be living at home with their parents. Mommy and Daddy have always done everything for them and saved them from every bad thing. Why would they want to be on their own?



However, I think the parents that do discipline, do it well and have outstanding kids, for the most part. These are the kids that will do good in adulthood and will be self viable and reliant, rather then confused and entitled (which will make it hard in the real world).

Krista - posted on 05/20/2012

Exactly. Every generation thinks that the next generation is going to hell in a handbasket. I think it does seem worse simply because we hear about it a lot more, due to increased access to information.

Jodi - posted on 05/20/2012

"The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority, they show disrespect to their elders.... They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and are tyrants over their teachers." (attributed to Socrates, 4th Century BC, although, that has been debated. Suffice to say, it is an ancient quote).

"The young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old age. They are impatient of all restraint. They talk as if they alone knew everything and what passes for wisdom with us is foolishness with them. As for girls, they are forward, immodest and unwomanly in speech, behaviour and dress." (Peter the Hermit, 11th Century AD)

"Our young men have grown slothful. There is not a single honourable occupation for which they will toil night and day. They sing and dance and grow effeminate and curl their hair and learn womanish tricks of speech; They are as languid as women and deck themselves out with unbecoming ornaments. Without strength, without energy, they add nothing during life to the gifts with which they were born - then they complain of their lot" (Seneca, 1st century AD).

"I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words... When I was young, we were taught to be discreet and respectful of elders, but the present youth are exceedingly wise [disrespectful] and impatient of restraint" (Hesiod, 8th century BC).

Our complaints are no different than they have been in the centuries before us.