There is little doubt in my mind that we are creating a complacent generation.

It seems that today's generation has far too many 'perks' that make life just a little too simple. A simplicity that stalls the growth of the young generation as they prepare for adulthood.

It's almost as if the transition from baby to child, to adolescent, to teen, to adult, is far too seamless.

Computers, cell-phones, and all the technological toys available to today's youth take much of the mystic and guess work out of growing up. In fact, kids are growing up without any 'street smarts' because just don't get out into the real world often enough.

Most of the reason for that is the amount of distractions that are available to them. Distractions that curb the learning process. At least the most vital 'life skills' part of learning.

For past generations, it was necessary to create our own excitement. We had to get out in the world to find that excitement. We had to learn basic survival skills in order to wander the streets. We learned reading, writing, and arithmetic the old fashioned way. Today's generation is lost without their technical aids to get them through the day.

I've gone to retail outlets all over the city and time after time have had mistakes made when young retail workers just couldn't add or subtract well enough to give the correct change. In most cases, they gave me too much change. It makes you wonder how much money there were losing for their employers. In one instance, a mistake was made three times in a row as a 20 something computer 'whiz' kid just couldn't get it right. Finally I gave up and left with about a dollar extra.

Their computers and tills had gone down and he had to make change in his head without being told in advance by a machine just how much he was supposed to give.

It gives one pause for thought about just what would become of today's youth if something catastrophic were to happen and they were forced to live without the technology they have grown up with.

There are other serious considerations as well besides the technological advances.

Often it is so expensive for young adults to start out on their own, they are forced to stay in the family home much longer than past generations. Inability to pay the sky-high rents, mortgages, and just basic expenses for day to day living make staying at home a more lucrative alternative.

Well-meaning parents might think they are doing their kids a favor, but in reality, letting them stay in the family nest is stifling their growth, and once they finally do try and make it out in the world on their own, they are in for a rude awakening.

The complacency of the new generation is caused by many factors and the only way to prevent it, is to educate today's youth about the real world and how the day will most likely come when the ability they have within is what will count the most.

That education has to start in the home in the formative years.

Learn more about this author, Ray Fauteux.
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