by Effie Moore Salem

Created on: May 30, 2009   Last Updated: October 20, 2010

Young people are patriotic but they are more vocal and antagonistic, usually. Young Americans today are totally different from the generations of their parents and their grandparents. They were born into a technological world unlike anything ever before. I believe the majority believes in right over wrong, have impossible dreams for the future and understand, somewhat, their place in the future. This does not mean they are more patriotic, or less patriotic, than former generations, it only means they have ample opportunities to be. Children of soldiers of Iraq and Afghanistan and other places around the world no doubt have strong emotions about war.

The word patriotism has shed some of its gloss since the days of World War 11 when youth were brainwashed by schools into being patriotic. That was not a bad thing. No contrary word was heard as we all rallied around the flag and gladly pledged allegiance to Old Glory. We believed our sacrifice - nearly everything was rationed - and our respect for our fighting men and our dogged determination to rid the world to come of evil and the necessity of war was the only alternative. We didn't want them to come over here and get us.

The youth of today have the same commitment but it is not as one-sided as it was then. Those who look up from their computer games and stop messaging inane tripe to their good time friends long enough to listen to what is going on around the globe will see both sides of any conflict. They are easily influenced by what their peers are saying and will listen to their sides more than to their parents and teachers, therefore what often seems a lack of patriotism is nothing more than youthful stances. In order to understand they often have to try thoughts on and live with them for a time. If the fit isn't just right and often it isn't, they will then take on something else.

These are learning processes for gullible youth. Therefore, a lot of patriotism - by any other name it spells out love and defense of one's country - is stifled by schools and by parents who misunderstand the importance of instilling a love of one's country in relationship to its dependence on higher powers. God places all of us in certain places for His reasons and no country has the authority to overstep this boundary. When evil rulers misinterpret this and thwart justice for their own benefit and drag innocent youth into conflicts not of their making, then who can blame them for their lack of patriotism; or who can applaud them for their blindly following such low-life dictators?

We hear time and time again how truth will set all of us free? If more of this truth was made available to youth at an early age and they were taught it was their lifelong duty to search out this truth, and then love for God, country and self would free them to start on this quest for answers to dilemmas at earlier ages. And too, if enough followed suit, there would be less need to take time out from studies and from families to detour to foreign places to fight wars where even the reasoning is never clear.

Losing youth to war under any circumstances is never justified but that does not mean it is not necessary to be ready to defend one's country. But to be so dedicated to military life against all other possibilities is not every young Americans dream for the future. If they are not as patriotic as seasoned elders and hardened leaders believe them to be, who can blame them. They are dreaming of days when war will be a thing of the past, and to make this happen, they will gladly put on the paraphernalia of war, but only for this last time. The youth of today are made for tomorrow's needs and we can rest knowing they are being groomed appropriately.

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