What is the problem with todays youth?

[Razorox]

As I was walking to the theatre from the parking lot today to see a movie I couldn't help but shake my head and laugh at the "cool" kids with their designer jeans worn with the crotch situated down around the knees as to suggest that they had messed themselves or something. I contemplate why they would want to portray such an unattractive and flat-out inappropriate and not to mention uncomfortable form of dress. Well, I know for a fact that it's because it's "cool". The youth of today are so overwhelmed with stereotypes and self-image that they fail to stop, smell the roses and realize that they look like an absolute imbicol to anyone watching them even though they are under the impression that other people who see them think they look "cool". Is it just a passing fad of the day, or is this the new way the youth of today's western society are being brought up? To build "respect" for themselves amongst their peers and disregard the normal and mature standards of behaviour that the rest of us follow.

I notice this type of action extending far beyond just dress and outward appearance. Most notably it is obvious to see that the people who fail to put on a show of smoke and mirrors to make themselves look good in the real world somehow slowly manage to drift into the inevitably controversial, yet seemingly appealing world of online gaming. Here they can start anew, and any physical hindrances that may be holding you back in the real world are removed and only your personality shows through. Usually this personality is who the person really is and I would consider it a more accurate indicator than their personality if you were to meet them in the real world, as most people are self-conscious about what they get themselves into or what they do to the needle weaving the social fabric of their lives. But online you can let the dog out of the cage. Relationships can be easily made and easily destroyed, and since they hold no *real* significance alot of these rejected teens try and be who they only wish they could be in the real world. For some it's the e-thug. e-thugs are people who try and act like their the big-tough bully type and often swear and attempt to intimidate. Ironically these are often the small nerdy loners, who in real life could not stand up to their baby sister. These people can be somewhat annoying, but in the end they just end up being a big laugh. And then there's the people who are truly frustrating. These people are the ones who act like their opinion is the holy-grail and anything they say or do is to be observed and accepted by everyone. In short, these people are trying to be leaders; they're trying to be popular and have people look up to them because in real life nobody looks up to them, and frankly nobody likes them. These people can often be picked out by their tendency to start absurd threads or add ridiculously uneducated posts that they consider to be "fact" to threads and often end up ruining them. These people may also try and take control of the community by knowing absolutely everything that goes on everywhere to such an extend that they begin false rumours about people they dislike and often try and fabricate stories about players who are better than them just to try and bring them down so they can be one step closer to their prescious center of attention. These are people who in real life have little or no social skills and are found trailing at the back of every group and rejected by everyone who is anyone.

The reason I am making this thread is because there is a specific individual on these forums who displays all the signs that so obviously and unmistakedly show that he is a lowly, rejected, immature, uneducated individual who makes it his goal in life to start a new life online. He makes sure he becomes the center of every discussion and will completely ruin threads if he isnt. He adds absolutely outlandish ideas to discussions and displays them as fact while at the same time saying anyone who opposes is an absolute retard who is "immoral and downright sick". This individual is a typical nuisance to the more balanced and mature members of the forum who actually possess real social lives and simply try to enjoy online gaming to it's fullest without being disturbed by immature hot-headed attention seakers such as the individual at hand. Since the moderators are unwilling to take action against such an e-terrorist, it is my proposal to say that we do something as a community. What can we do without admin capabilities? Well, alot!

1.) Do not respond to any of his threads or comments

2.) Do not participate in any discussions regarding that individual

3.) Pretend he doesnt exist

This will make our online experiences all alot less stressful and a hell of a lot more fun, enjoyable, and civil.

You know, if you compare apples to oranges it isn't too hard to see that they are both very much alike; the punks with the false solf-portaits they display, and the nerds with the false e-portraits they display. Both should simply be laughed at and ignored until they realize that the attention they want is not being granted. And the character they are attempting to play is no longer worked into the script.

cheers, and you all know who i am talking about :-X

[Dante]

You say that people online hide their real selves. This is true enough. So how do you know that this person is young? And if you don't, how can you make the connection?

[Caid Ivik]

The stereotype you've named as "cool" isn't real. Commercional media live from advertisment, and these advertisments are made by only a small couple of firms, which follow some moods in population and after some time they create own subculture. Whole process now led to create a stereotypical show of youth, like all were same. But all preachers of this "cool" style in normal life are only exhibicionists, normal people don't try to make specifical "image".

[Nyarlathotep]

Although I know what you're saying Razorox, I agree with Drizzt. You're not able to see what kind of person you're dealing with online, hence why you can't tell anything about the person.

Just as you now, I already said several times, just ingore people you dislike. This prevents them getting the attention that they seek/want/need. People who bully others online might have a whole complex problem behind them, which we are not able to see. What if those people get bullied in real life themselfs ? Then the online community is their only oulet (not saying that it's right though). Maybe we should look much more at the reason why, instead of having our judgement ready. I had an instance once, where some one tried to make fuin of me and calling me names. I couldn't care less, but after sending some IM's back and forth I found out that the person had some real life problem. After a couple of days it was solved and the person became "normal" again and actually became a helpful person after a while. I could have thought to myself "screw you and go bother some one else". However, it's not in my nature to do so, so I encountered the person with his self. Of course there are those that won't react as the case above and remain the bully no matter what. In that case I'd suggest to just ignore that person.

As for real life, the "problem" with the youth today... Who says it's a problem ? Maybe we're getting older and do not understand the current thoughts of the youth, like our parents probably didn't understand ours back then (and their parents surely never understood them, refering to the 60's). Do not forget that times change, styles change, ideas change. Unless you have some you know who fits in todays youth group, you probably will never understand.

I think the problem in all this lies to our disability to adapt to changes. We want to keep what's good and worked for us. What works for us doesn't mean it works for eveybody. IMO, things need to change from time to time. It shows initiative and own will to do things. Obviously I'm talking about positive changes, not changes that result in crimes.

A simple example, a kid comes from a poor family. He has two choices, 1 being to follow his fathers footsteps and work in the same plant for minimal wage, or 2 he can make every effort to study and get a better job, therefore getting a better future.

I have a daughter and I'm scared as hell what's going to happen when she reaches the age of 14 - 15. Should I let her make her mistakes or prevent it ? Trying to prevent it might be the best option, but what if that means I need to forbid something and she will not understand ? Should I say "it's for your own good", with the risk she will not confide in me anymore ? When I let her make the mistakes, she might ask me why I didn't warn her... I decided to do both. Warn her, but don't forbid things, like "Honey, you'd better not", instead of just simple "No".

Kids have a mind of their own, they'll most likely take a different path then we (parents) are used to. Hence why things come out differently. So they wear different clothes, but that doesn't mean that the youth has a problem. They've merely adapted to the current style changes of today, which we "older people" haven't adapted to, or for rudeness, think about the fact that it might have a deeper meaning...

[Razorox]

Hey nyar, I'll bet you $100 that the one we all love to hate is under 18... yes it IS THAT easy to tell.

[Razorox]

Although I know what you're saying Razorox, I agree with Drizzt. You're not able to see what kind of person you're dealing with online, hence why you can't tell anything about the person.

Just as you now, I already said several times, just ingore people you dislike. This prevents them getting the attention that they seek/want/need. People who bully others online might have a whole complex problem behind them, which we are not able to see. What if those people get bullied in real life themselfs ? Then the online community is their only oulet (not saying that it's right though). Maybe we should look much more at the reason why, instead of having our judgement ready. I had an instance once, where some one tried to make fuin of me and calling me names. I couldn't care less, but after sending some IM's back and forth I found out that the person had some real life problem. After a couple of days it was solved and the person became "normal" again and actually became a helpful person after a while. I could have thought to myself "screw you and go bother some one else". However, it's not in my nature to do so, so I encountered the person with his self. Of course there are those that won't react as the case above and remain the bully no matter what. In that case I'd suggest to just ignore that person.

As for real life, the "problem" with the youth today... Who says it's a problem ? Maybe we're getting older and do not understand the current thoughts of the youth, like our parents probably didn't understand ours back then (and their parents surely never understood them, refering to the 60's). Do not forget that times change, styles change, ideas change. Unless you have some you know who fits in todays youth group, you probably will never understand.

I think the problem in all this lies to our disability to adapt to changes. We want to keep what's good and worked for us. What works for us doesn't mean it works for eveybody. IMO, things need to change from time to time. It shows initiative and own will to do things. Obviously I'm talking about positive changes, not changes that result in crimes.

A simple example, a kid comes from a poor family. He has two choices, 1 being to follow his fathers footsteps and work in the same plant for minimal wage, or 2 he can make every effort to study and get a better job, therefore getting a better future.

I have a daughter and I'm scared as hell what's going to happen when she reaches the age of 14 - 15. Should I let her make her mistakes or prevent it ? Trying to prevent it might be the best option, but what if that means I need to forbid something and she will not understand ? Should I say "it's for your own good", with the risk she will not confide in me anymore ? When I let her make the mistakes, she might ask me why I didn't warn her... I decided to do both. Warn her, but don't forbid things, like "Honey, you'd better not", instead of just simple "No".

Kids have a mind of their own, they'll most likely take a different path then we (parents) are used to. Hence why things come out differently. So they wear different clothes, but that doesn't mean that the youth has a problem. They've merely adapted to the current style changes of today, which we "older people" haven't adapted to, or for rudeness, think about the fact that it might have a deeper meaning...

Interesting insight nyar. You make alot of good points there. The thing is though, that I DO understand what these people are thinking and I can relate. How? Because I too am one of todays youth. As a 17 year old it's even easy for me to be disgusted by many of the outrageous teenagers and downright immature and frustratingly rebelious teens of today. I KNOW exactly what they're rationalizations are and I know that for most of them it is not caused by some obscure family or personal problem. It is caused by a personal obsession to be someone they're not. To be someone "cool" and accepted among peers. I know this because every teen has at one time or another either struggled with or juggled with the concept of being an actor. An actor who makes it his primary goal to draw attention to themselves. First they will try for positive attention, but if that doesn't seem to be working for them, they will settle for negative attention...any attention that will make them feel more significant and more adult.

I appreciate you trying to back up the youth nyar, it's something most adults won't dare to touch or try. But when the dust settles and all is said and done, it isn't some "personal issue" or some different social standards as a culture that are causing alot of teens to act so irrationally and immature. It's plain and simple selfishness and the growing levels of disrespect and disregard the youth have the rest of the civilized and mature culture. I'm not saying all teens are just hormone-driven maniacs who will go about causing chaos and headaches to all they come across. Many do not. Many are fine respectable individuals, the way they used to be. Today it is as if someone went and redefined the adolescent life as to incorporate rebellion, deception, and frustration into the definition of normal childhood. This is what annoys me makes me shake my head as I see such ignorant people go about their daily lives without even thinking twice. I dunno, perhaps it is I who is the rebellious one in that i refuse to follow the rest of my peers into a life of ridiculously immature childhood goals and ideals.

It is not for me to say who has it easy and who's life is plagued by constant tragedies and mishaps. All though these people can be mentally scarred or injured for the rest of their lives, it really gives them little to act like that. If your life somehow gets a few monkey wrenches tossed into the middle of it, it is absolutely no reason to try and make life as miserable as possible for anyone and everyone you meet. You need to vent some rage or suppressed anger? Go for a run. Go buy a punching bag. Go into your backyard and just go nuts. But don't try and make life worse for all of us because you happen to have a little family difficulty. I can say this, because I have not been gifted with the "ideal" family unit, and a happily-ever-after story book ending to my childhood. But I don't try and make things any worse for anyone else. I know that many of you are probably going through similar circumstances or have at one point.

I guess what I'm really trying to say is that the youth of today are becoming increasingly immature, and there is no sufficient rationalization to account for their actions. Frankly it saddens me and I hope that at some point in time people WILL wake up, smell the coffee and realize that the world does not revolve around them.

[Cyborg]

Well, the youth today really has a big problem.

I should know, because I am today's youth, but I am trying to avoid much of the problems.

The biggest problem is that every child wants much for little.

He want's the best job, but doesn't care about his grades.

You can actually see that a child's gradebook reflects his style.

I'm getting sick when I hear about people who actually suck because they haven't payed attention to school and want good jobs.

They never get the jobs they talk about! They get the jobs those with good grades don't want. I've seen it so often.

And those who don't do anything at school and do no homework, have more time to be with their friends and have fun. That makes them popular.

That is the "cool" style nowadays(atleast where I live). To be careless.

I'm out of time, so I will maybe write more later.

[Razorox]

Yes i agree, most youths fail to look at the prospects for their future, and can often be seen wasting the present... when 5-10 years down the road they'll find all their supposed "friends" had abandoned them. And they are stuck living in a rundown apartment complex in downtown wherever, still mooching off their parents, or out on the streets because they have no qualifications for a decent job and their $6.40/hour working at mcdonalds just isnt cutting it anymore.

[Nyarlathotep]

Razerox, Let's devide the youngsters in groups, hopefuly making my replies more clear.

Some of todays youth reaches adult stage sooner then many others. From your view and replies, I'd say you're one of them (consider it something postive as it's meant that way). This happens due to the fact that some think a lot about their future and are willing to do hard work for it. Another group reaches that level simple due to hard life experience. Not good experience, but it makes them look at life differently in a more mature way. You belong somewhere in those two groups.

Todays youth who doesn't belong in what I said above this, are mostly "followers" as I like to call them. Those who do not know what they want in life yet and follow someone who they think sets a trend. Being cool now days is a status that a youngster almost can't do without. This because the majority of their age members "expects" them to. You referred to the clothing, well it's very simple. Mom takes the kid (or they go by themselfs, which makes things more easy) to the city to buy some clothes. In all the shops there are those trendy clothes. As a parent, you don't want your kid to be out of the trend so you think "what the heck". Do not forget that shops play an important role in todays youth lifestyle. Take mobile phones for example. Kids with mobile phones are getting younger and younger. Some one sets a trend and the rest will follow (trend setter could also be a comercial !). This group at some point will see/find their destination in life and willl leave those trend setters alone.

Then you have the small group of trend setters as I call them. This is a small group which in general I see failing once school is over. When young, they have people following them and adapting their trends (which they think is cool). At a certain point, the followers dissapear and this group is left with nothing, just because they were copied by their followers, their idea is that things in life will come to them without hard work. Once the followers are gone, they realize they're not that cool and will drop down the ladder.

Last, but certainly not least, you have young criminals. There are some youngsters who think the are above the law and make other peoples lifes miserable, but that same group also exists in the adult group, so I don't see any difference there. In general, this group either has lost the thight family connection, or has some serious problems. Either way, this is a group that politics need to focus on, help them if you will. This is the group that mostly spoils all for the other groups. This group mostly looked at and pointed out as representatives for todays youth, which I think is wrong.

To clear things up, I wasn't talking about this last group in my previous reply. I was talking about the other groups.

[exatreide]

the youth today is just a different youth of yesterday. Your parents thought the same thing.

[Razorox]

Razerox, Let's devide the youngsters in groups, hopefuly making my replies more clear.

Some of todays youth reaches adult stage sooner then many others. From your view and replies, I'd say you're one of them (consider it something postive as it's meant that way). This happens due to the fact that some think a lot about their future and are willing to do hard work for it. Another group reaches that level simple due to hard life experience. Not good experience, but it makes them look at life differently in a more mature way. You belong somewhere in those two groups.

Todays youth who doesn't belong in what I said above this, are mostly "followers" as I like to call them. Those who do not know what they want in life yet and follow someone who they think sets a trend. Being cool now days is a status that a youngster almost can't do without. This because the majority of their age members "expects" them to. You referred to the clothing, well it's very simple. Mom takes the kid (or they go by themselfs, which makes things more easy) to the city to buy some clothes. In all the shops there are those trendy clothes. As a parent, you don't want your kid to be out of the trend so you think "what the heck". Do not forget that shops play an important role in todays youth lifestyle. Take mobile phones for example. Kids with mobile phones are getting younger and younger. Some one sets a trend and the rest will follow (trend setter could also be a comercial !). This group at some point will see/find their destination in life and willl leave those trend setters alone.

Then you have the small group of trend setters as I call them. This is a small group which in general I see failing once school is over. When young, they have people following them and adapting their trends (which they think is cool). At a certain point, the followers dissapear and this group is left with nothing, just because they were copied by their followers, their idea is that things in life will come to them without hard work. Once the followers are gone, they realize they're not that cool and will drop down the ladder.

Last, but certainly not least, you have young criminals. There are some youngsters who think the are above the law and make other peoples lifes miserable, but that same group also exists in the adult group, so I don't see any difference there. In general, this group either has lost the thight family connection, or has some serious problems. Either way, this is a group that politics need to focus on, help them if you will. This is the group that mostly spoils all for the other groups. This group mostly looked at and pointed out as representatives for todays youth, which I think is wrong.

To clear things up, I wasn't talking about this last group in my previous reply. I was talking about the other groups.

agreed

[Dunenewt]

Hey nyar, I'll bet you $100 that the one we all love to hate is under 18... yes it IS THAT easy to tell.

Navaros is 22 i think, not that I'm hinting at anything

I don't know how old Edric O is though ;D

[nemafakei]

"What is the problem with todays youth?"

Many of them are simply spoilt. They squander what society offers, do not take heed of the education they receive, and are not held enough to decent morals any more.

Moreover, they behave so awfully to other people! Moral degradation seeps in so young. And I physically shudder rather than think of the vile things they seem to get up to.

There are exceptions, many, and in different ways. But of those exceptions, advantage will inevitably be taken by the slackers, the bullies, and the twisted minorities (though I think that word might be optimistic).

[Mahdi]

Generation Gap. No doubt when you were 18 people who were 40 were asking what was wrong with you.

[nemafakei]

Yeah, but they've been asking me that since I was three, with a rather different implication...

I've always tried to make use of what I'm given (and not squander more than I need); I've often failed, but I've at least attempted to do what is best at each turn.

[Andrew]

The problem with todays youth is that their parents/ older people are not allowed to punish them. EG. Hit them!

This is what I have noticed, schools now have implemented a "no touch" [forget real name] type rule that implies you can not push/ whatever to anyone else.

So now the smaller kids think and can do whatever they want and not be punished by the older kids like they were back in the day.

err, this is just a small thought. so now kids are more crazy and do not think of what can go wrong.

And yes they are less sensible, sorry I'm anti-Skater.(lets all go skate and videotape and get hurt, sounds like fun)

no hard fellings anyone, as I'm still a bit young too, although kinda mature in University. (compared to high school)

[Razorox]

Navaros is 22 i think, not that I'm hinting at anything

no he isnt

[Caid Ivik]

Hey nyar, I'll bet you $100 that the one we all love to hate is under 18... yes it IS THAT easy to tell.

Navaros is 22 i think, not that I'm hinting at anything

I don't know how old Edric O is though ;D

Nav is 23, EdricO 17, I think.

[Nyarlathotep]

Before this discussion about persons goes any further, I don't hate anyone here in this community. I find hate for the weak to be honest...

As a side note, don't start any personal flame war in here. If you want to know how old someone is, please IM him/her.

[Cyborg]

Yes, Nyar, you're absolutely correct when saying that there are different types of youth.

Some do what they can to have a great life when finished with their studies.

That's the ones you say that grow up early. They're often decent people, not rude, and remember that you gave them money for more than 10 seconds...

There are others too, ofcourse.

You have those i wrote about in my last post.

You also have those who, despite getting bad grades, keep struggle and do their homework.

You can actually see very much out of how much they're doing at school.

The less they do, the more childish they are.

I am also not hating anyone, but I am irritated by the way some people waste their lives.

[Edric O]

I'll be watching you, Dunenewt. ;)

Caid is correct, I am 17. But despite that, "What is wrong with youth these days?" is a question I often ask myself. Young people should be naturally rebellious. That is how it has always been. And many older people believe that this is how things are today. But they are not. Today's youth is comprised of sheep, not reformist young minds. They might not seem like sheep to greater society, but that is exactly what they are within their own subculture. They forgot how it was to think for themselves. They wear what comercials tell them to weak, drink what comercials tell them to drink, eat what comercials tell them to eat. They are complacent and apathetic drones.

That may seem harsh, but it is the truth. I see it every day.

And to think that no more than 2 generations ago, young people were the very flame of the revolution! They CARED about things, they CARED about the serious issues of the world around them! What happened to that spirit...?

[gryphon]

2 generations ago. . .hmzl . let see. . you mean they cared about that making love and smooking pod at Woodstock or in Het Vondelpark in Amsterdam ?

They might have card about it, but be carefull. . caring about those things might have been trendy at that time. Making it nothing more then the recent health change about 2 years ago, when every one started eating healthy again and every street corner got a fresh snadwich takeaway. People started to workout, because it's in to care about those things.

[Razorox]

Hey nyar, I'll bet you $100 that the one we all love to hate is under 18... yes it IS THAT easy to tell.

Navaros is 22 i think, not that I'm hinting at anything

I don't know how old Edric O is though ;D

Nav is 23, EdricO 17, I think.

Back in the day he told me he was 16 or somethin'... 23 is more than likely just a cover up to make his opinion look more "factual". Have you ever seen a 23 year old act like nav? Hah!

Anyways why is this tourning into another nav thread. I never mentioned any names for a reason...argh! :-X

[bryorama]

Im not bad, i'm only 12, im not freak, im "smart", and I am considered "cool"!