It seems people are fearful for our planet lately. We are afraid of our greenhouse emissions, diminishing ozone layer, global warming, and the approaching 12/21/2012. But I think people are afraid of the wrong thing.
This morning I saw some kids on a site being asked who their hero is. Nine responded. 2 said their Grandmother, 1 said her Aunt, 1 said the Marquis de Sade, 2 said Adolph Hitler, 2 said Marylin Manson, and 1 said satan. This wasn't a dark or disturbing site either. These were average kids.
I realize teenagers often like to use shock value to get a response and attention, and if that was the intent, they succeeded, I was shocked. Regardless the intent, I am amazed that their minds even went in this direction at all. Those names still stike fear in my heart as an adult. I have also noticed how utterly narcissistic teenagers are these days. I find myself worrying about our future for these reasons far more than the ozone layer, because it's having an impact right now.
I think the most shocking thing I did as a teenager was spray a couple blue streaks in my hair that washed out later that night. The next day I felt stupid for even having done it, despite the fact that it wasn't permanent.
I am fearful of our future if this is the mentality and lack of morality our kids have. What I have to ask myself is why is this happening to our kids? What are they being taught? More importantly...what are they not being taught? As a society we now claim that we must be accepting of all things and ideas, but I don't want to be accepting of Hitler as an idol. I don't want to be accepting of Marylin Manson as a role model.
I am sorry this wasn't a pleasant post like usual, but I felt it was important for anyone with kids out there to stop and think about who your kids are hanging out with(especially online) and what are they learning from them? I urge you to take a moment to really look at the sites your kids are going on, even if from the outside they seem perfectly harmless and innocent. When you delve deeper you may not like what you find.
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3 comments:
I work at a school, I have lunch duty with 14-15 year olds. You are right, they love to shock. I think with the bunch I work with, there may be a few bad eggs, but when I look through their sarcasm there are many good souls there. I wouldn't worry too much. We have to have faith in them, they are our future.
I think kids say these things because, more and more, they are raised by their televisions and the internet... and that's what they see there.
I know my cousins would answer with one of the answers you thought of as shocking... merely to shock. They wouldn't believe it for a heartbeat... but media has taught them that that kind of response is funny.
I agree with you I have 4 grand sons and I am in shock at how much these kids know and learn form other kids.I keep praying for God to guide them and try my best to steer them on the right path.
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