Nov 9, 2009

Who said…

That’s not fair! I hear that every day at least twenty times a day. I hear it from kids, parents, staff members…I hear it over and over again. I don’t hear it from people who are struggling to pay bills, find food, stay safe…I hear it from those who got a ticket, failed because of lack of attendance, because we cancelled an extracurricular event due to lack of participation and even because they are being held accountable for cursing at me. And it’s at those moments when I fight yelling that life isn’t fair! And how did they ever think life was fair. Life has disappointments, struggles and things can be unfair.
That is the problem with this generation. So I know that it’s official that I now sound like an old person. But it’s true, every generation has an “issue” and for this generation it’s the belief that life is fair. They believe that “it’s” their right…no matter what is in question. They trust that their parents will fix it at any time they need. They believe that all of the good things come become they are entitled and they wear it like a crown.
And parents reinforce that thinking every day. Not all parents, but I can honestly say that daily I get phone calls and visits from parents telling me how things should be for their kid because that’s what is FAIR. Regardless of the situation; regardless of the behavior and simply just because it should be.
I love kids and they are my passion. I want them to feel prepared to enter the world prepared to handle the bumps, curves, joys and hurts. And I am frustrated that their biggest hurdle is usually the vision of the world presented by the people who love them the most. I know that when a parent hovers to protect, harasses to modify circumstances and/or demands fairness they are doing it from a good place. But if I could hold a mirror up for them to see into the future it would show their child crimpled because they do not have the skills to face struggle, disappointment, hurt and unfair treatment.
Okay, I will step off of my soapbox.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

AMEN!

karen said...

omygosh u just described me as a parent........
welcome back to blog world...missed u...

Unknown said...

amen sista! amen.

Whiskeymarie said...

I hear it from my 17-25 year-old students all the time as well. Ugh.

They have no idea what "fair" is. I'm consistently shocked at the sense of entitlement that so many teens/young adults have these days.

I'd rather be "old" and in possession of a solid work ethic/morals/humility/compassion than young and selfish any day.

The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: said...

I totally agree with you - when I hear young people complain that something isn't fair - what they are complaining about usually has nothing to do with "fairness" and more to do with them being disappointed that things didn't turn out their way. It's so weird to think there's a whole generation of people who have come to expect things to go their way.

These kids must be disappointed all the time.

Diva's Thoughts said...

Hear hear!!! I agree 100%.