Jan 25 2009
Gen X, Y, and Z
The world seems so different now than it did when I grew up - and I’m not even 40 yet. When I was growing up kids could play outside without anyone worrying about them getting abducted. Teens could cause mischief and only had to worry about getting in trouble with their parents ……..not criminally charged. We went to school without metal detectors and didn’t worry about someone bringing in armed weapons. Yes, we did have bullies at school and when you were their victim it felt as though the day was never going to be over….but we got through it.
In my childhood, during the winter months we used to take turns doing each others hair on Saturday night to try out the latest style. (Friday nights were reserved for the high school basketball/football games.) On Saturday or Sunday afternoon there was at least one card game or board game going on. We used to read and listen to music when we were bored. Today it seems as though every pass time has a plug in.
On the flip side, however, I know that my youngest daughter knows more now at 3 than I did when I went to kindergarten. My oldest daughter at 16 has a passport that she has used, has been to both sides of the United States, and easily has had more travel experiences than I had prior to turning 25. Is their life better because of these additional opportunities….I would like to say yes. Will their life be better and easier than ours just as mine was from my parents…again I would like to say yes. Is it our responsibility as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. to make sure that we make it better for the next generation…….in my opinion….yes.
