Socrates said: ‘The young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old age. They are impatient of all restraint. They talk as if they alone knew everything and what passes for wisdom with us is foolishness with them. As for girls, they are forward, immodest and unwomanly in speech, behaviour and dress.’
I’ve recently heard similar statements: ‘Young people today are rude, inconsiderate, violent… They’re always on their phones/ playing video-games… Schools are full of bullies who defy authority and teachers who can’t control them… Badly behaved young people reflect their lazy, irresponsible, incompetent parents.’
Yesterday I was chatting to Gordon. Gordon’s a skilled carpenter who fitted our bathroom and has worked in the homes of a number of friends. He’s fitted doors, windows, kitchens and sorted out many problems. We all know Gordon: he’s considerate, resourceful, totally-trustworthy and highly-skilled. Gordon’s fifteen-year-old son is considering becoming a carpenter. Gordon could pass on his skills. Perhaps he could become Gordon’s apprentice…
Yesterday I had conversations with four teenagers. Each was pleasant, humorous and polite. We talked about their home, school, hobbies, future plans. I was privileged to talk with them. Each has parents who take their parenting seriously, parents who have learnt life-skills that they’re passing on to their children… their life-apprentices.
The famous proverb from the Nigerian Igbo culture says ‘Oran a azu nwa’ – ‘It takes a community/ village to raise a child’. The Igbo’s also name their children ‘Nwa ora’ meaning ‘child of the community’. The Sudanese have a similar proverb: ‘A child is a child of everyone’.
And me? I’m part of my teenage friends’ community; I’m one of the ‘everyone’.
St Paul, speaking of his young friend Timothy, described, ‘Fanning into flame the gift of God that is in you’. The young people I know today are gifted and talented, beautiful and delightful. With some, their potential is just a glowing ember. These embers could become flames. I must do my bit of fanning.
malcolmsmusings.org 
Do your bit of fanning — so important. Thanks, Malcolm!
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It seems to me that it’s a habit we all need to get better at, Wynne. Practice doesn’t make perfect, but it does make us better.😊
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It’s generational to criticize the behavior of t youth. I remember that sentiment labeling my generation when a teenager, a long, long time ago, way before Socrates Malcolm 🙂
“… parents who take their parenting seriously, parents who have learnt life-skills that they’re passing on to their children… their life” . . . therein lies the responsibility and crux of the behavior of those of today’s youth who have ‘gone astray’.
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Indeed so, Fred. There are similar quotes throughout history. I agree that parenting skills are vital. I think what came to me this morning, Fred, was that I think with an increasingly individualistic society we have lost sight of the importance of a supporting community aiding and encouraging parents.
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Spot on Malcolm. Sadly, we’ve become a much more ‘ME’ society than a ‘WE’ society.
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Just realized I predated Socrates in my comment Malcolm😊 I’m old, but not quite that old. Please grant me a senior waiver 😄
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I guessed that you might not pre-date Socrates, Fred!😊
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I wonder if Socrates knew about hormones? Adolescents have a lot of changes going on in their bodies, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be respectful and responsible. And it certainly helps if they’re surrounded by good Christian mentors! 🙂
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Wonderful, Malcolm! I want to do some fanning myself! I’ve been fortunate to meet some great young people. Every age has its “mix” of behaviors!
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Me too – there are lots of good people around… and as you suggest, people of every age need fanning into flame. Some of us who are older can lose our passion….
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Include me in that mix! What a world we live in~so much to learn.
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I think you are right! Nowadays young people are very intelligent, understanding, ambitious. Well shared
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Thank you Priti. We all need to be encouraged, young people particularly.
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Right 👍
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