We’re not all bad, promise

It was with great anger that I listened to an anecdote from a friend of mine following last Friday’s politics awareness morning.

Whilst the politicians were rightfully stating that we young people are not as bad as the media are trying to make us out to be, the public at large allowed themselves to be spoon-fed the anti-youth propoganda currently being regurgitated after attacks from the odd youth here and there. Try this quote, for example:

“Children nowadays love luxury, have bad manners, contempt for authority, disrespect for elders.”

It sounds very much like a damning indictment of today’s youth, doesn’t it? I’d be inclined to agree, if it weren’t said by the Ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, who died in the fourth century BC. The problems with some young people are not new, and most of those feeding on the vile statements in the media forget that they were our age once, and that some of them were exactly the same.

Which brings me on to my friend. He isn’t exactly the sort of person who could hurt a fly (believe me, I’ve seen him try), let alone a fully-grown woman. So what made her cross the road when he, on his own, just happened to be walking in her direction? Why does the media make everyone think the worst of our Country’s future, and why do people believe their utter nonsense?

I, unfortunately, cannot give an answer. But one day, I fear, I will end up being like that middle-aged woman, crossing the road because (shock horror!) a teenager happens to be walking towards me. It is a never-ending cycle, and something needs to be done sooner, rather than later, to cut the fear stirred up by the media – fear that was not so prominent just a Century ago.