The theory is repeated over and over like a stuck record. According to those who preach it, the youth of today have no compassion, no respect and are driven by simple, technological pleasures such as computer games and instant messaging. Quite apart from the fact that this is a gross generalisation, this idea is insulting to a generation who are growing up under ever-increasing pressure and scrutiny from their elders. Those who think that today's youth have it easy' are sorely mistaken.

It is debatable as to whether compassion is a virtue learned from our parents or one that is in our nature as human beings. If it is learned, then surely it is the adults who point the accusative finger who should reconsider the ways in which they bring up their children. If as human beings we are born with an instinctive capacity to help others, then we should ask what is crushing the instinctive compassion of some of our young people and turning them into the cold, dispassionate thugs that they are evidently perceived to be.

Whatever we choose to believe, one thing is certain - children are extremely impressionable. They learn by example, so what they read or watch on television, or experience in day-to-day life, can shape their personalities for the rest of their lives. A child who witnesses domestic violence or suffers abuse will grow up with a warped idea of human compassion. When a child sees violence on television or plays a game in which the main aim is to shoot people down, they learn that violence can be acceptable. Perhaps what young people today are missing out on is the censoring of violence that their parents experienced as children, and the idea that today's youth have no compassion is simply the result of one generation's adjustment to an increasingly open and uncensored society.

Our attention is constantly being drawn to the shortfalls of young people. The current obsession of the media with youth culture means that our children cannot escape from the labels and stereotypes heaped upon them. We are taught to be wary of our teenagers rather than embracing the people they potentially are.

Children today are exposed to a far greater variety of cultures, experiences and social backgrounds than their parents were as children. Today there is much more emphasis on understanding and accepting other people. The perceived aggression of young people stems from frustration at being misunderstood, which is surely a natural part of discovering identity as a teenager. It is difficult to feel compassion for the adult who crosses the street at night to avoid you, and who consistently judges you to be something you are not.

Young people do not lack compassion. As role models, the older generation should set an example by showing younger people some compassion, and in return might find that young people are amongst the most rewarding, caring and compassionate people to be with.

Learn more about this author, Isza Ravel.
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