by Gemma Wiseman

Created on: October 08, 2007

Are teenagers today evidence of a new and upcoming, complacent generation? In teenage behavior patterns and attitudes, we see glimpses of parents, teachers, white and blue collar workers and politicians in the making. In the civilised world, where technology ranks high on the basic list and is the easy way to access both work and entertainment, are we creating a younger generation that expects too much "on a platter"? Is pride, in struggling to achieve personal goals, a lost moral value?

Complacency means being laid back and casual. Parents and teachers alike complain that teenagers seem to have lost a hunger to achieve; a need to make some personal sacrifice to achieve. Helping parents with tasks around the home is not a "must do" on the teenage agenda. Homework from school is not valued; more likely forgotten. Teenagers appear to be casual about commitment and the need to complete work at home and school effectively. Instead, they prefer the entertainment of computer games, ipod generated music and chatting or text messaging on the mobile. Such pre-occupation implies a lack of personal drive and ambition; time is filled with apparent "filling in time", amounting to "push of the button" thrills.

Complacency can mean taking material comfort for granted. Society puts pressure on parents to provide for children's needs. And teenage needs are all-encompassing, demanding and costly. Apart from a bedroom filled with technological devices, including computer, TV and sound system, the older teenager is now likely to expect parents to supply the first car; this includes paying for driving lessons and license costs. "Of course, I will pay you back!" And are you still waiting for those regular payments years later? But then, by this time, they are probably expecting their first "help" with a housing loan.

Complacency can mean taking spiritual comfort for granted. The tensions of paying household bills, grocery shopping and committing to a "budgeted" life are being neatly avoided by those older teenagers who prefer the convenience of staying in the family fold; parents provide the shelter so that the younger generation can drift through life unhampered by these demands. How many are reliable enough to commit some income to paying board? This could disrupt their spiritual comfort zone.

And then, there is a special group of young women emerging in Australian society who keep having children from different fathers. This is a means of getting increasing government handouts for

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