The trouble with kids these days
10-second prayer
We pray for the youth of Vietnam to acknowledge you as their Creator and to turn from their own ways. Amen.
The trouble with kids these days …
Young children swear and gyrate inappropriately in the playground. Primary school students are lazy, egotistical, and shred notebooks in front of their teachers as a protest against getting bad marks. High schoolers are not just rude, they threaten their teachers with assault, cheat, skip class, steal, get drunk, gamble, and fight with weapons – and that includes the girls! All this was unheard of 12 years ago, before the sudden economic boom. Numerous recent surveys among students have documented an alarming increase in such behaviours. Nearly 90% of students admitted to using various sophisticated forms of ‘cheat notes’ and the same number said they copied from their peers during exams. Despite all this, students regularly score full marks during the morality lessons that are taught at all education levels!
Educators acknowledge that lessons on morality are of poor quality, irrelevant, and have little impact, but point out that the breakdown in relationships between students and teachers, and students and their parents (busy earning money) has left youth without a moral framework. This absence of positive role models means that computer games, films and other media shape their ideals of romantic love, strength through violence, and the power of sex.
Think and pray
- Where do we learn our morals? Consider the relative importance of social norms vs personal conviction in our behavioural choices.
- What are some challenges faced by children and teenagers from Christian homes?
- What are some challenges faced by teachers? By parents? Any ideas as to what steps can be taken?
- Imagine some of these young people fifteen years from now – how does their life as adults unfold?
- Think of Jesus sitting next to one of these teenagers. What would He say?