Do today's youth lack compassion? I don't believe they do, no more than I did as a youth. It seems to be society that's becoming less compassionate and, by conditioning, the youth will follow.

The media is full of stories of heartless youths tormenting others and not caring about anybody but themselves; but this is what makes news. I believe that for every callous youth there are ten others who care for the people around them.

With more and more violence happening each day, society itself is becoming more insular. Where once communities gathered round to help the needy and provide for each other, people are afraid to reach out in case they are attacked, mugged or stalked.

Add to this the natural selfishness of youth and it is easy to see why anybody would think today's youth lack compassion. In our teens we think the world revolves around us and should bow down to our needs. It is not until we understand that this is absolute rubbish, and the world doesn't owe us any favors, that we learn to love the people around us.

There is hope, however, in the fact that young people still want to go into professions like nursing, fire-fighting and the police. All these careers center on people. They all need recruits with a heart for their fellow man. They all need compassionate individuals.

I know plenty of teenagers who are happy to lend a hand to elderly neighbors, clear gardens at retirement homes, run fun days at local schools. All these activities require a truly compassionate heart.

I don't believe today's youth lack compassion. I believe the youth of today have plenty; we just need to release it. Let's not complain about what is lacking in the younger generation, let's applaud all the small acts of kindness they do accomplish. Then maybe today's youth could teach us what compassion really means.

Learn more about this author, Tim O'Dell.
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