Do you recognize these 'kids'? Yes, the 'New Kids on the Block'!
They aren't so 'new' anymore are they?
As you chuckle at the photo above, I'm sure you're thinking "Kids just aren't like they used be!"
I'm going to guess that you've heard this comment many times before. Teaching colleagues, parents and employers have all made this comment. Unfortunately, when I hear this comment it often implies a negative connotation about kids or some notion of disbelief about a kid's actions. As much as I hate to admit it, I am guilty of having made similar comments out of frustration in the past.
But, think about the statement for a moment. Not only is the statement true, but seriously, shouldn't it be? And even more importantly, shouldn't we hope that the statement is true?
The kids of today are growing up in a world that is considerably different than it was 10, 15, 20 or more years ago. Their 'past' is shorter and different than the 'past' of the previous generation. The world that has influenced their values, beliefs, principles and actions is considerably different than the world that shaped the thinking of the generation before them. So, shouldn't we expect that 'kids just aren't like they used to be'?
So why is it that when we say 'kids just aren't like they used to be' we often do expressing our frustration and disbelief about them. Is is because we are struggling to understand them? Is is because we are resisting change and unwilling to accept their new perspectives? Consider this the next time you're about to utter the words 'kids just aren't like they used to be'.