Let’s talk about youth and society.
Is it easy to be young?
It’s about time somebody exploded that old myth about childhood being the happiest period of your life. Childhood may certainly be fairly happy, but even the greatest moments can’t be compared with the sheer joy of being an adult. Mostly adults choose the clothes their children wear, the books to read, the friends to have. Mother and father are kindly but dictators. This is an adult world and though children may be deeply loved, they have to be manipulated so as not to interfere too seriously with the lives of their elders. The essential difference between manhood and childhood is the same as the difference between independence and subjection.
Think of the years at school: the years spent living in constant fear of exams and school reports. Every movement you make, every thought you think is observed by some critical adult who may draw unflattering conclusions about your character. Think of the times you have to go to bed early, do as you are told, eat the stuff that is supposed to be good for you. Remember how "gentle" pressure is applied with remarks like "if you don’t do as I say, I’ll ..." and a dire warning will follow.
No matter how kind and loving adults may be, children often suffer from terrible, illogical fears which are the result of ignorance and an inability to understand the world around them. Teenagers may rebel violently against parental authority, but this causes them great unhappiness. There is a complete lack of self-confidence during this time. Adolescents are over-conscious of their appearance and the impression they make on others. They feel shy, awkward and clumsy. They look at the world with fresh eyes; everything is new and unspoilt for them. Feelings are intense and hearts are easily broken. Teenagers experience moments of tremendous elation or black despair. And through this turmoil, adults seem to be more hostile than ever.
What a relief is to grow up! Suddenly you regain your balance; the world opens up before you. You are free to choose; you have your own place to live in and your own money to spend. You don’t have to seek constant approval for everything you do. You are no longer teased, punished or ridiculed by heartless adults because you failed to come up to some theoretical standard. And if on occasion you are teased, you know how to deal with it.
What are the roots of generation gap?
Youth is a very important period in the life of man. This is the time when a person discovers the world and tries to determine the place in the universe. Young people face lots of problems which are very important for them and do not differ much from those that once their parents had to deal with. At the same time every generation is unique. It differs from the one that preceded it in its experience, ideals and a system of values.
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The adults always complain that the young are not what they were. These words are repeated from generation to generation. To some extent they are true, because every new generation grows up quicker, enjoys more freedom. It is better educated and benefits from the results of the technological progress of the time.
Moreover, the young look forward and the old people look backward. The adult always teach the young how to live. They apply old standards to the new way of life. The past is hanging over them preventing them from appreciating the things around them anew. The young think that the adults have lost touch with everything that is important in life.
Young people of today do not directly accept the standards of their parents who believe that they are right because they are older. The adults don’t want their values to be questioned. The young on the other hand cannot accept the values of their "fathers." All these differences generate a generation gap when the young and adult do not understand one another. Generation gap means difference in attitude, or lack of understanding between younger and older generation.
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