In this generation, many teenagers and preadolescents believe that they are in control of the house, that they run the show. Many of us are unappreciative, careless, and lazy. I believe that the early childhood is the source; lack of discipline at younger age is the cause.
According to research, children develop habits for the rest of their lives up until the age of seven. With this said, the early childhood stage is when the disciplining matters. It’s often that parents don’t say no to their child at a young age and want to give them everything. Even when they aren’t deserving, which is faulty. If a child has heard the word “yes” all their life, they tend to get used to that behavior. Then when they are told no later in life, they don’t know how to comprehend it, and respond disrespectfully.
In the character development stages of childhood, a child needs to understand the word no, and be able to lose without getting a consolation prize. Today, many children are getting rewards for just participation. It creates little monsters. They rely on the consolation prize, and when they don’t receive it, they throw a tantrum. The lack of prevention leads to tantrums in the teenage years. However, when the adolescence stage begins, there are behavioral differences. You hardly see a teenager on the floor kicking and screaming for a candy bar these days. What we do see is this generation’s teenagers constantly asking for goods. I am at fault of that, and I can honestly say that it’s not because I never learned the word no. I have been told many a times that I could not get some M&M’s at the checkout line --without tantrum. My mom always tells me, “The worst I (she) can say is no.” So even if I know that the item of my desire is a no, I ask.
More often than not parents find themselves with a grouchy teenager that throws them back talk and refuses to do simple tasks. I’ve overheard a classmate of mine denying their mom their phone when asked. This sickens me. I have to hold my tongue when hearing the disrespect given to some parents. Parents pay the bills, they give you your precious phone, and they are the ones who allow you to do things. Why and how could a teenager, like me, believe that it’s acceptable to say no and directly disobey their parents? Excuse you, I think you need to get some water, take a breath, and contemplate that move. It’s unfathomable.
The other day my family and I were watching television; we were watching a show called Parenthood. It is a rather good show in my opinion. One of the families has a daughter who, on the outside is prim, proper, and looks like she would be every parent’s dream. Yet she would go out and do disrespectful things to herself and her parents. When she was caught, she lied and disobeyed them more. I can’t seem to wrap my mind around this scenario in any case; unfortunately it is for many teens.
Disobedience is common in today’s society, but is it acceptable? Has it become the normal thing to do? Parents today just accept the fact that their child is going through that “stage” in their life; the stage where they are rebellious and disobedient. Why should parents accept this?
Another problem is that “everyday items” (cellphones, laptops, tablets, iPods) are taken for granted by many. Today I was looking at pictures a friend posted. It was from his birthday; it was a picture of an iPad and a lot of hundred dollar bills. The caption read, “A new iPad and $2500 for my birthday, it’s not too bad.” It just seemed so absurd to me. I don’t know the story behind it; he could need money to pay half and half for his first car. The point though, is that teenagers act like everything that is provided to them, is not a big deal. When I first got my iPhone, I cried. I was so overwhelmed with excitement. The funny thing about this is that, when I got it the iPhone 5 came out. People considered my phone to be outdated. I’m still figuring it out.
My generation is full of inconsiderate and wasteful people. I’m thankful for my parents having disciplined me as a child. I know the value of things. I understand that my parents are above anyone else and their word is final. I hope that my generation learns from their faults, and disciplines their kids. I know I will.