There has always been a certain clash between the generations of old and young. Do you think that the generation before you were discussing how the youth of your own era were lacking compassion? I bet that they were! This is because for the majority of people there is a lack of good communication between the generations and understanding.

There are definitely loud mouthed youths who are bullies and who are rude. There were in my day and there will be in the next day also. There are definitely mature bullies who are loud mouthed in board rooms, at home and in public houses too. In this sense, a careless nature may not be so much about age as it is about personality.

What can be found in the youths now is a generation of people who have not been taught manners, or how to express themselves well. This is not the fault of the youths themselves but of the generation who went before them and who were responsible for teaching them.

Obviously as the previous generation, we cannot all be held responsible for the acts of violence or appalling behavior committed by anyone else but ourselves. However when it comes to young people they need guidance and role models which are lacking in todays society. Who are they to look up to? Posh Spice? Drug fueled pop stars who cant sing or even Paris Hilton?

When I was a youth I watched the old black and white movies in-which everyone was polite and well spoken. My grandmother had Maria Callas playing on the record player and my parents taught me how to behave. Nowadays youths listen to Snoop Doggie Dog, I hope I've got that right, watch sex and violence on the television and their parents are out to work most of the time.

Despite our different upbringings we are not really so different. There are numerous young people who are working for good causes, doing voluntary work and who are using their modern sounds with which to be creative and to reach out to others of their generation. Instead of concentrating on the possible downfall of youths in society perhaps we should be concentrating on being good role models for them.

Learn more about this author, Heidi Marie Fleetfoot.
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