Teenagers - What is going on?!?!
I listened to the news yesterday with sadness and in shock. The said a new poll reveals that over 70% of teenagers are pessimistic about their future. Included in the description of pessimistic was that:
they are not hopeful about their careers or future, they believe they will die young, and they do not think their life counts. These feelings lead to them taking more risks and engaging in unsafe behavior, such as casual sex and suicide.
Last week I also watched a tv program where teenage trends were being discussed. Everything from texting hundreds of messages per day to punching themselves in the face, teens are experimenting with it. A few years back, I remember teens used to choke themselves with chords to make themselves temporarily pass out.
When I consider all that, two things come to mind: my own children and my role in this society. And I also wonder: as much as we criticize our parents and the elderly, things just seem to get worse and worse with our new methods.
I do not parent out of fear. I believe with my whole heart that I my children will grow up to love God and honor me in everything they do. If I believed otherwise, I would not have had children! But I am concerned about the world they will have to face. These teenagers will be or are the parents of my children's peers, neighbors, store clerks, etc.
I think as parents we need to be confident in our children but also be open minded. We must not turn a blind eye or deny the facts. We have to remain involved in our communities. We can pull our children out of public school, but we cannot pull our children out of the world.
Just something that was on my mind tonight.
Debra
Syndicate
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You know I have to say that our teens really don't have much hope in their lives. I look at teens and young adults from Christian families and see a bunch of generally happy kids. They still have their attitudes and rebellious tendencies yet they don't lack a positive outlook on their futures.
Teens from non Christian families tend to view today as "as good as it gets" and frankly if you look around who wouldn't become depressed? If this is as good as it gets I want out now!
Having that hope that Christ promised instilled in the hearts of our youth makes a huge difference on how they view the world around them. I say the liberals need to stop trying so hard to push God out of the equation and bring him back in. Our teens need Him more than ever.
Mikki Hogan
Publisher of UniqueParenting.com
Sadly Debra I believe these feelings among the teens are because their parents have failed to give their kids hope. See, our society has become a culture of here and now, instant gratification and a matter of this is as good as it gets. Our teens lack the awareness of God's ultimate plan for humanity. Schools are not permitted to discuss God and more and more parents are choosing atheistic views rather than Christianity.
Think about it, if there was nothing beyond the here and now, what we accomplish in this life doesn't matter beyond today, what would there be to hope for? I think we need to parent from a godly perspective, making Him the center of our actions, our hopes, our dreams. Until then, teens will continue to view their lives as worthless and meaningless.
With your own kids, keep God's view in front of them. Teach them His ways and the promises He is sure to keep. That hope will live in their hearts even through their teen years.