We've built a society that coddles its young until they turn the age of majority, and then we let them loose on the world completely unprepared to face it. The first lesson every human being has to learn is failure. In the caveman days, it was easy, you fail, you die, sabre toothed cat has you for lunch. Nowadays, we tell our kids how special they are until the age of 18 (even if they are drooling idiots), and then expect them to take it well when they get fired or their boss or coworkers tell them they're idiots. So then the really smart kids are driven off into substance abuse issues out of sheer boredom and lack of any challenge. We neglected to teach them respect for machines, so now they expect things to happen and are completely useless when it doesn't. Then we scare the bejeebers out of them by telling them that the world is catching fire and then tell them to go out and get a job. We dumb down the education system so that every half-wit now has a good chance to get into university, and then they are surprised when their degrees are found to be meaningless. And to make it worse, it is slowly becoming a crime to have and express an opinion, whether it's informed or not. So the elephants in the room just turn back into woolly mammoths that threaten to take us out. (See the point about "failure"). My generation, while trying to be kind and good, has totally set up this generation for failure, they're all kind of stupid and good for nothing. So no wonder Gen Z lashes out; they did get screwed over. So they are right; - "Ok Boomer"... And yes, this is a lot of generalizations, I haven't got the space or the patience right now to write my usual dissertation.
Younger people???????? Please, the young people are no better or no worse than older people for accepting criticism, a lot of my older employees over the years have that I know it all attitude when you approach them with issues.
I’m teaching my kid to respect this: 2 Timothy 2 Amplified Bible (AMP) Be Strong 2 So you, my son, be strong [constantly strengthened] and empowered in the grace that is [to be found only] in Christ Jesus. 2 The things [the doctrine, the precepts, the admonitions, the sum of my ministry] which you have heard me teach in the presence of many witnesses, entrust [as a treasure] to reliable and faithful men who will also be capable and qualified to teach others. 3 Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service gets entangled in the [ordinary business] affairs of civilian life; [he avoids them] so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve. 5 And if anyone competes as an athlete [in competitive games], he is not crowned [with the wreath of victory] unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hard-working farmer [who labors to produce crops] ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 7 Think over the things I am saying [grasp their application], for the Lord will grant you insight and understanding in everything.
I was all set to post how I felt, but several of You did it for me. These 'problems' cross all generations. It has a lot to do with the environment in which they were exposed to growing up.
I look at the youngest generation o my family and I'm convinced that they are better then the generation that produced them.
I might end up taking a beating over this, but I believe every word, so here goes: It seems every generation, once they’ve become the “elders” of society, look upon their younger replacements with doubt and derision. Look back at how the “rock ‘n rollers” “beatniks” and “hippies” were looked upon by older generations. Fact is, by the time this new generation gets to be the “Boomers” of their age group, there will be a younger group to pick on. It’ll keep happening until we stop procreating humans. My sons were born in 1980 and 1982. They are productive, responsible, and caring men, husbands and fathers, more than likely similar to many others in their generation. I have had more exposure to participation trophy winners than I like to admit, and I’ve been looked upon as an old fool by more than one “millennial” and “Gen-Xer,” but I’m not going to judge the entire generation by the actions of a few of their peers.
Cycles. It seems that things go in cycles like an AC wave form. Things get bad then they get better. It won't stay bad and it won't stay better. just life I suppose.
Big problem I see among the younger generation is a fear of making a decision & a fear of looking foolish if they don't have an answer. I tell the new hires we have to think carefully about their choices on the job but be prepared to make a choice. Choice could be how to route the conduit, install the equipment or set-up for the big cable pull. Once the decision is made .......follow through with it at least try it. Adjust mid-stride if needed but commit.......to something. Still not sure ? Ask me or the other guys "How's this look ?" This be OK? We're all here to help. No one's getting fired over a bad decision by an inexperienced resource. Review behind closed doors, yes probably. Solid part of the learning curve. Cable pull doesn't go as well as we wished, let's rig it a little differently next time shall we ? Cable did indeed get pulled in, yes & a couple knuckles rapped however, next cable job will go like butter. Started into my '71 in 2002 & I was 39 years old. Started here shortly after asking some pretty basic bonehead questions. Didn't care about the replies that might have come as I still needed an educated answer on "something" with the car. Treated only with respect & courtesy in every reply, bar none. Learned a he#$ of a big pile of things in a very short time simple because I asked for help. Dean Martin once said: Good Judgement Comes From Experience. And Experience ? Well, That Comes From Poor Judgement.
From reading all of these posts, i have been learning things from each response. A lot of Things i didnt really think of. I agree with smokey15 when he said "you can say that again"
...that started on September 26, 1960, Nixon-JFK TV debate. JFK had answer for everything, and since then, starting with politicians, no one wanted to not "know," even if had to make something up... ...thought so, couldn't get on last night...
As to public schools - Many if not all states have implemented standardized testing, supposedly to verify that the students have learned whatever is in the state curriculum. Since schools are evaluated by how well their students do on the test, it stands to reason that the teachers don't spend much time on anything that isn't on the test. IMHO this leads to a not-well-rounded education. Don't blame the teachers - blame the folks who set up the state tests. As to the value of college, it depends on the individual; there are some occupations that are closed or effectively closed to a person without a degree. There are many other careers that do not require a degree and pay well. In my case, I received a $5,000 per year raise the day after I earned my college degree. It also gets me a lower auto insurance and homeowner's insurance rate. The $5,000 raise added to my pension which has helped now that I am retired. The major benefit of a "premium" college is that attending a school such as Harvard, Stanford, or many of the "Ivy league" colleges is that it provides the opportunity to become part of a high-powered network. The children of the movers and shakers in this world attend these schools. I have a cousin who attended a premium business school, met some children of prominent business people from New York, and became a millionaire at a very young age. He was eminently qualified for his job with a venture capital firm, but he likely wouldn't have met the people that he got to know had he attended a state college and earned the same degree.
Far too many people nowadays are too high-strung, thin skinned, uninformed, and just on edge and rude. It will take a lot of time to revert back to civility. Social skills are lacking as well as common sense things like how to count money, make change, or write. Common sense is becoming.....quite uncommon.
...when our kids were in elementary school, learned standardized testing data was for next teachers union contract negotiation. YMMV...
It's not a generational issue. Most people refuse to take responsibility for their actions when it has a negative outcome. It's always been that way.
Happened to me before.................or just because I'm old and hit "Post Reply" twice...........................
Fewer and fewer people are willing to accept responsibility for their mistakes. Is this a result of potential legal ramifications? I'm not certain. Spend some time in adult education for a real eye opener. I did almost ten years in that capacity. When I mess up, I own it. Stops most every potential disciplinary or retaliatory action stone dead. How can you respond to that? I respect anyone who also owns their mistakes over those who won't. I also have little patience for those who blame others for their screw ups.
