Comment: The Kids Are Alright
– The news that parents are unaware what teenagers get up to isn’t surprising – neither is it anything to worry about
According to the Guardian ICM poll there’s a huge gulf between the risks taken by reckless teenagers and the expectations of their clueless parents. But why is this cause for concern? Just what is the fuss about? So the poll confirms teenagers are dabbling in drugs and drink, but surely compared to the gloomy tones of recent reports, this news should come as a relief. After all, shouldn’t what Sue Palmer calls a ‘toxic childhood’ lead to a much more troubled adolescence than this?
And anyway, where is the evidence that such youthful misadventures are a sure route to self destruction? The news, if anything, suggests the opposite. Look at the two figures who dominated last week’s headlines – Dave Cameron and Britney Spears. While one spent their teenage years puffing on pot, the other was widely celebrated as a symbol of teenage success. Years later and the former has his sights set on Number 10, while the latter is a prime candidate for mental health sectioning.
Of course it would be foolish to deny that many an adolescence is blighted with mental health problems – indeed the National Union of Students estimate that 61% of university students encounter bouts of depression. But rather than drink or drugs, they pinpoint financial worries as the cause. Even where alcohol is involved, it’s a symptom of a wider problem, rather than a cause in itself. Drink and drugs are just a distraction from the debts which have come to define the university experience.
And what’s so worrying about the news that parents are oblivious to their children’s waywardness? That too should come as a relief. Quite simply, if you’re unaware that your child takes drugs, then it’s extremely unlikely that there’s anything to worry about. If their school grades plummet, or their spending rockets, then there may well be something wrong. But how can something qualify as a ‘problem’ when it disappears so easily into the tapestry of teenage life?
That teenagers are living their lives outside of the grasp of their elders is a conclusion which should be welcomed. To be able to freely express oneself is a vital part of a healthy adolescence. This is why websites such as MySpace are so popular – they provide an escape from the adult world; online arenas where teens can express themselves without fear of censure.
Far more problems are caused when adolescence is over-monitored by adults. Take Britney Spears for example. Strip away the cameras and the cat suits, and her teenage years were defined by suffocation – barriers to her personal self-development. The same frustrations were behind the tragic suicide of chess prodigy Jessie Gilbert. Forget what any report says – the worst place to grow up is under the merciless gaze of adults.
– The news that parents are unaware what teenagers get up to isn’t surprising – neither is it anything to worry about
According to the Guardian ICM poll there’s a huge gulf between the risks taken by reckless teenagers and the expectations of their clueless parents. But why is this cause for concern? Just what is the fuss about? So the poll confirms teenagers are dabbling in drugs and drink, but surely compared to the gloomy tones of recent reports, this news should come as a relief. After all, shouldn’t what Sue Palmer calls a ‘toxic childhood’ lead to a much more troubled adolescence than this?And anyway, where is the evidence that such youthful misadventures are a sure route to self destruction? The news, if anything, suggests the opposite. Look at the two figures who dominated last week’s headlines – Dave Cameron and Britney Spears. While one spent their teenage years puffing on pot, the other was widely celebrated as a symbol of teenage success. Years later and the former has his sights set on Number 10, while the latter is a prime candidate for mental health sectioning.
Of course it would be foolish to deny that many an adolescence is blighted with mental health problems – indeed the National Union of Students estimate that 61% of university students encounter bouts of depression. But rather than drink or drugs, they pinpoint financial worries as the cause. Even where alcohol is involved, it’s a symptom of a wider problem, rather than a cause in itself. Drink and drugs are just a distraction from the debts which have come to define the university experience.And what’s so worrying about the news that parents are oblivious to their children’s waywardness? That too should come as a relief. Quite simply, if you’re unaware that your child takes drugs, then it’s extremely unlikely that there’s anything to worry about. If their school grades plummet, or their spending rockets, then there may well be something wrong. But how can something qualify as a ‘problem’ when it disappears so easily into the tapestry of teenage life?
That teenagers are living their lives outside of the grasp of their elders is a conclusion which should be welcomed. To be able to freely express oneself is a vital part of a healthy adolescence. This is why websites such as MySpace are so popular – they provide an escape from the adult world; online arenas where teens can express themselves without fear of censure.Far more problems are caused when adolescence is over-monitored by adults. Take Britney Spears for example. Strip away the cameras and the cat suits, and her teenage years were defined by suffocation – barriers to her personal self-development. The same frustrations were behind the tragic suicide of chess prodigy Jessie Gilbert. Forget what any report says – the worst place to grow up is under the merciless gaze of adults.
5 comments:
Well, it's a fair point that if parents don't know what their kids are up to, it may be because it isn't very disruptive to their kids' lives, that it isn't any kind of problem.
I wouldn't go as far as saying as there's no problem. Going against the parental grain in secret is a pretty universal thing, and I don't think excessive supervision is the solution. But young people can get into some very serious trouble without their parent's notice. No smoke no fire doesn't always hold.
You expect kids to make mistakes and fail along the way. Sometimes the best thing a person can do is fail publickly in the eyes of his parents. If their good parents, they can help him/her learn from it.
Kids need some guidance - this is not to say suffocate them or over-discipline them - but kids these days are more vulnerable to serious criminals that at any other time in history - the influences via technology are out of control - it's no wonder most parents are clueless - and that is not a good thing - having your 13 year old daughter advertising herself as "hot" in a thong on myspace is not healthy.
You're forgetting that the recklessness of youth is what is causing such rates of teenage pregnancy. You're forgetting that whatever the statistics may lie (sorry, say) education standards are slipping and that, ultimately, children need to be guided to focus on education because the one who focus on education without supervision are rare indeed.
Otherwise you make a good point.
And You're forgetting that the recklessness of middle England gives rise to names like Gayin' Gayaling.
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