One of the main reasons that teens are not working is that the job market has been closed to them. They used to be the ones working the minimum wage jobs. They don't need a living wage, so those jobs worked well for them.
I found it interesting that fewer teens are having sex. That's a good thing since they have no way of supporting possible children if they are not working.
I agree that the decline in sex and drinking is a positive trend. I think though, that being concerned about the self isolating trend of social media is a legitimate fear. I think current generations are losing the ability to interact with each other in social settings. Their online persona can be whoever they want it to be, so their true selves are getting lost.
I think the lack of jobs is twofold-there aren't many jobs available to them because older people are having to work those jobs, despite the low pay. And I also think that they were raised by a generation of people who were forced into the work force at a young age. Their parents had the expectation they would work and as a result, they wanted more freedom for their kids, so that expectation is not the same. Each generation raises its kids in some form of rebellion to how they were raised. It will be interesting to see how our children shake out.
It is interesting. I'm not raising my kids with as many moms of my generation because I had my children later in life. My friends kids are graduating high school and my kids are in elementary school or younger. I wonder how much of an impact that will have on our children.
I've actually read two different articles that show while actual sex between teens is declining, pornography usage is up and is creating a whole generation of (mostly) young men who are physically unable to be with women.
In that, porn has desensitized them to the point of being unable to have or maintain erections with real women. There's actually a whole branch of psychology popping up to help these men since most have been regular porn consumers before even puberty, some stating as young as 9 and 10.
Also where kindergartners are having difficulty with understanding and interpreting facial and body language compared to kids of 10 years ago because of their early and constant use and interaction with tablets and other devices.
So while I see how some of this is a good thing, I think the long term consequences or our societal shift have yet to be seen.
I can see if I can find the articles too if anyone is interested.
I had my 11yo when I was 17, and in some ways our shorter than average parent-child age gap really highlights the generational differences for me, especially as she enters junior high and approaches teen age. She is much more innocent than I was, despite my mom trying harder to shelter me than I do her. Her interests are much less about wanting to grow up and much more about what piques her interest that moment- drawing, horseback riding, talking to her friends and making slime. I had noticed the difference between myself at 11 and her, but this adds an interesting perspective.
I'm with yaya-raising my kids at an older age, so my perspective is different even from other parents my age or parents with children my children's age.
I think maintaining the innocence in our kids while teaching them to be aware and emotionally intelligent is such a difficult line to find.
I honestly didn't feel like an adult until 25. I was living in my own at 16, working full time and supporting myself completely. (I ran away at 15). I do agree poverty makes a child grow up faster, but it doesn't mean they mature faster.
And as far as less sexually active teens. We are the age of social media. We form relationships with our cell phones and computers. Making person to person contact minimal. Can't think about sex while worrying about what life you live/portray on social media to lead people to believe you have a perfect life and how many likes you get. Then become depressed over it not actually being perfect.
It makes sense that parents would coddle their kids if they felt like they were pushed to work at a young age. 'I'll never be the parents my parents were' I hear that often.
Personally, I think it's a better age to determine being an adult at 25. I feel like you are capable of making more responsible decisions at that age.
deleted-user·
One of the main reasons that teens are not working is that the job market has been closed to them. They used to be the ones working the minimum wage jobs. They don't need a living wage, so those jobs worked well for them.
I found it interesting that fewer teens are having sex. That's a good thing since they have no way of supporting possible children if they are not working.
deleted-user·
Saving my place so I can read the article later.
Renee·
I agree that the decline in sex and drinking is a positive trend. I think though, that being concerned about the self isolating trend of social media is a legitimate fear. I think current generations are losing the ability to interact with each other in social settings. Their online persona can be whoever they want it to be, so their true selves are getting lost.
I think the lack of jobs is twofold-there aren't many jobs available to them because older people are having to work those jobs, despite the low pay. And I also think that they were raised by a generation of people who were forced into the work force at a young age. Their parents had the expectation they would work and as a result, they wanted more freedom for their kids, so that expectation is not the same. Each generation raises its kids in some form of rebellion to how they were raised. It will be interesting to see how our children shake out.
deleted-user·
It is interesting. I'm not raising my kids with as many moms of my generation because I had my children later in life. My friends kids are graduating high school and my kids are in elementary school or younger. I wonder how much of an impact that will have on our children.
deleted-user·
I've actually read two different articles that show while actual sex between teens is declining, pornography usage is up and is creating a whole generation of (mostly) young men who are physically unable to be with women.
In that, porn has desensitized them to the point of being unable to have or maintain erections with real women. There's actually a whole branch of psychology popping up to help these men since most have been regular porn consumers before even puberty, some stating as young as 9 and 10.
Also where kindergartners are having difficulty with understanding and interpreting facial and body language compared to kids of 10 years ago because of their early and constant use and interaction with tablets and other devices.
So while I see how some of this is a good thing, I think the long term consequences or our societal shift have yet to be seen.
I can see if I can find the articles too if anyone is interested.
deleted-user·
Lol no, then my hubby bought a house at 16
deleted-user·
I had my 11yo when I was 17, and in some ways our shorter than average parent-child age gap really highlights the generational differences for me, especially as she enters junior high and approaches teen age. She is much more innocent than I was, despite my mom trying harder to shelter me than I do her. Her interests are much less about wanting to grow up and much more about what piques her interest that moment- drawing, horseback riding, talking to her friends and making slime. I had noticed the difference between myself at 11 and her, but this adds an interesting perspective.
Renee·
I'm with yaya-raising my kids at an older age, so my perspective is different even from other parents my age or parents with children my children's age.
I think maintaining the innocence in our kids while teaching them to be aware and emotionally intelligent is such a difficult line to find.
deleted-user·
I honestly didn't feel like an adult until 25. I was living in my own at 16, working full time and supporting myself completely. (I ran away at 15). I do agree poverty makes a child grow up faster, but it doesn't mean they mature faster.
And as far as less sexually active teens. We are the age of social media. We form relationships with our cell phones and computers. Making person to person contact minimal. Can't think about sex while worrying about what life you live/portray on social media to lead people to believe you have a perfect life and how many likes you get. Then become depressed over it not actually being perfect.
It makes sense that parents would coddle their kids if they felt like they were pushed to work at a young age. 'I'll never be the parents my parents were' I hear that often.
Personally, I think it's a better age to determine being an adult at 25. I feel like you are capable of making more responsible decisions at that age.
deleted-user·
I know a few people who still live with their parents at the ripe age of thirties lol.
deleted-user·
? for later!
deleted-user·
??? for later
deleted-user·
I'm 25. *ahem* I mean 18. lol this is interesting