This New Generation

Mine enemies reproach me all the day: and they that are mad against me are sworn against me Psalms 102.8

Nation at Risk says the educational skills of this generation will not surpass, equal, or even approach those of their parents.

Frances Fukuyama says, "This is a new breed that will never know true belief, true beauty, or true passion." "Like children of a divorce, they carry a hidden question. Before they came along, the nation was doing great. After they arrived, everything started going to hell. Part of being a 13’er is to always wonder what did I do to make so many angry or mad or unhappy about me" (Neil Howe).

What is it about this generation that makes it such a target of adult criticism and rejection? It is easy when you are grown-up to speak of how much better life was when "I was your age". I believe in many ways, there has never been a generation like this one. Their parents may never understand that they are facing pressures and stresses more intense than any other generation has ever had to face.

Then why do so many adults criticize or attack them instead of encouraging them? I believe that many times it is a reaction out of fear. Adults are afraid that youth may become what they already are.

In an old movie entitled, "Pay the Piper", a man is at home waiting to celebrate his daughter’s anticipated high school graduation. Imagine the horror he felt when he learned that both she and her boyfriend had been killed in an automobile accident. They both had been drinking, and the car went out of control. She was his only child.

Although the daddy drank alcohol himself, he set out on an angry crusade to find out sold liquor to his under-aged daughter. In the months that followed, he worked night and day to bring justice to bar and night club owners who broke the law. Exhausted one night, he unlocked his own home bar to have a drink. To his surprise a piece of paper fell out. On it was these words: "Daddy, I hope you don’t mind. We borrowed one of your bottles to celebrate. Love, your daughter."

Some adults think their children are stupid; that they are unable to learn anything. But they do learn. In fact, they learn a lot more than we think they do. They often become what they see in us every day, whether they want to or not. And all of the words, emotions and arguments will not change the truth of what they have lived and grown up with.

Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath Ephesians 6:4. The rod of your anger shall fail Proverbs 22:8.