How would you define teenagers today? How do they compare to generations before? What kind of social and cultural impact do you think this generation will have? How will their access to information change the way they view the world? This past week, my 8th graders had their graduation ceremony to move on to high school.
Overall, they were a great group of kids.
They seemed to be well beyond their years in much of their critical thinking and moral reasoning.
Despite all the negative we hear, I think this next generation is going to especially impactful in many positive ways.
I think they are going to succeed in ways that their parent's generation failed.
Some of the areas where I can already see signs of change include: 1.
Environmental Concern: This next generation is already more aware of the dangers of environmental degradation and climate change than many in their parents' generation are.
Obviously, this generation is going to be absolutely crucial to the future health of our planet.
I truly believe that there is going to be a great movement for change in regards to environmental issues and a realization that things cannot continue the way that they are.
The whole denialism about our environmental problems which is still seen greatly today will also lessen with this generation.
2.
A Greater Awareness of Global Issues: This generation has grown up with the internet, unlimited information, and a very shrinking global world.
What happens in Haiti, Africa, or Thailand is on their computers in a second.
I think we can already see that this greatest access to world issues has really allowed for more positive social change on a global scale.
I truly believe that much of the improvement in the situation with AIDS and poverty in Africa would be non-existent if it wasn't for the internet and more global awareness.
3.
A Post-Racial, Post-Sectarian Mindset I think we have seen in most recent generations that the emphasis on race and sectarianism based on ethnicity, religion, and class has diminished.
I believe that in this next generation this will even be more of the case.
The older generation still has many of the scars of racial conflict and discrimination present.
Much of this new generation had not experienced this conflict or discrimination to a large extent.
Therefore, I think they will move even farther in that positive direction.
On a side note, there are more and more inter-racial children being born every year.
I think this is very exciting and a positive sign of how the old lines that use to divide people are slowly shrinking.
4.
Less Inclined to Blindly Following If we look at the history, much of the conflict has been because the masses have followed one leader or ideology to their graves, even if that leader or ideology was deeply flawed.
While there is still a great deal of propaganda and misinformation, it is becoming harder and harder to control large segments of the population.
There is too much information available and people who are able to come to their own conclusions are less likely to be following blindly.
In many ways, the internet has opened up the door for more people to come to their own conclusions and become more independent thinkers.
Perhaps, this is too rosy of a picture of the next generation.
In some ways, the new generation will be weaker and more flawed than the previous.
However, I do think there is a lot of positive to see in this new generation, who will one day become the leaders of our world.
Let's hope that they continue to push us and take us in a direction that will lead to a more just, peaceful, and hope filled world.