This past school year I had a student who, come second semester, just stopped doing her work. When she showed up to class, she spent her time flirting with boys or text messaging on her cell phone. She wasn't trying at all, and the sad part was that she was a smart girl. At the end of the year I reminded them every day that if they just neglected to turn in a final paper, their chances of passing for the marking period were slim to none. Because she was already failing, I told her that she needed to do this in order to pass for the marking period, which would determine whether or not she passed for the year. With a concerned look on her face, she nodded and promised me that it would be done.

She didn't do it.

"I had a lot of things to do," she said, which turned out to be cheerleading try-outs and parties she had to attend.

Many times have I overheard the kids having conversations about their work. When one of them doesn't do it, the reason usually turns into bragging rights. They were at some party with so-and-so or they were drunk or they're just too cool to care. Leaving all teenage boldness aside, it almost seems that not doing their work is "cool" because of what they were doing (or claiming to be doing) instead. I'm really afraid for the future of this country with the way that today's youth champions mediocrity and laziness. They fall prey to dereliction and it never fazes them. They just can't be bothered to be concerned for their own futures. Telling them that what they do now affects their future is futile. They simply don't care. In a culture filled with such apathy, it's so easy to see that after all their bragging rights have been used, they just don't care.

Learn more about this author, Renee DeCoskey.
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