There's an old saying. "The next generation shall have it easier than the one before." The generation before me battled for their civil rights in the streets. They protested a confusing war that the sacrificing of young, rebellious and brilliant minds on Southeast Asia's front lines. They spoke of "free love", uprooting the status quo, and for women's rights and equality at home and at work. The generation before me planted the trees that now bear fruits of their labors. What have done we for the next generation? We have done little.

Technology has hurt potential, meaningful relationships. We're no longer interacting face to face. A smile, a handshake, a hug or a kiss is not done anymore. Conversations are done through emails, texts and video conferencing. Why look into someone's eyes for truth when pushing a button remedies the situation?

The family unit has deteriorated. Television and media are raising our kids; flashing images of brutality, hate, sex and violence on big screens. Parents have backed away at involving themselves in their children's lives. Children are feeling alone and fall into abusing drugs, committing crimes and killing themselves. Over 50% of married couples get divorced each year. Over 35% of all children are being reared in single-parent homes. One in three kids always come home to an empty house. "Latchkey" children, an 80s phenomenon, have multipled in the thousands. Common law marriages are an excuse for adults to "play house" and avoid the economic hardships of legalized divorce. Still, children get left behind to pick up the pieces. What happened to dating, committment, marriage and then kids?

Women are being educated by ultra-feminists that "men are no good". They are told that "men have no use". Unfortunately, deadbeat dads and man-childs are proving these ridiculous myths. To quote Judge Joe Brown, "A man's duties are to protect womanhood and to provide a safe and secure community that prosperous." Those ideals got shoved back.

The generation before me were thinkers, creators and doers. They worked their lives keeping a country together. Our generation isn't keeping intact what they inherited. Our generation is trying its damnedest to destroy what's been built.

Learn more about this author, Marcus Brooks.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Are we creating a complacent generation??
We want to hear your view. Write now!