A Letter to the Entitlement Generation
Dear Graduate of 2016,
Just because you graduated with a North American high school diploma doesn't mean the world will be presented to you on a silver platter. I know you have heard the motivational speeches out there. "Just believe" or "You are special" or "Failure is not an option". I hate to break it to you kid, the oh-so-young adult that you are. No ounce of believing will make you what you were destined NOT to be. While you have God-given worth, you are no more special that the other 7 billion on this planet. And -- guess what! -- you will fail.
Your world tends to revolve around the latest smart phone technology. I don't blame you, as the adults in your life are no better in so many ways. But please remember, you don't have the right to technology. No matter what popular culture will tell you, it is NOT a NEED in your life. It's a WANT. It is true that it is becoming more and more difficult to live without one, as it is even an assumption in high schools that you possess one for classroom applications (the unwritten supply on the supply list?). However, you do not NEED it to do Math or research an essay. You do not NEED it to talk to your friend who is in the same room as you. You do not NEED it to be happy or connected with others 24/7. What you NEED is food, oxygen, basic lodging, simple clothing and love. You NEED to unplug yourself from your device to experience face-to-face, distraction-less connection AND reflective alone time. So keep technology in perspective instead of becoming addicted.
Another thing, don't run away from painful or difficult situations for the sake of the visually numbing or for the "lollipops & rainbows" feeling. Our educational systems are often guilty in making things easy for you so you can pass. There is much pressure on teachers to make everything engaging, relevant, and appealing. Schools will employ all the trendy social media platforms to try to capture your attention. On top of that, you are in the generation of the helicopter parent, the parent who attempts to protect you from all harm, who clears your absences when you truly skipped a class or dolls out excuses for you when you should receive a low, low grade. The real world is harsh, my friend. Are you ready? Do you have the resilience to face the competitive world of work, where you will not be the CEO of a company from the get-go? Do you have the work ethic to persevere through the doldrums of life, where the engaging mountain top experiences are rare?
Lastly, be thankful. The world doesn't owe you anything at all. Don't be the adult that ignores those "beneath you". I don't care if that visual minority behind the counter only served you a coffee and a donut. You know what, they served you a coffee and donut! It counts as important! What they do has value! I've been there, doing the service industry thing, and it ain't easy. It is exhausting. And thankless. So, take the time to SEE that person, acknowledging that they exist and have worth.
Graduate of 2016, you have much potential. But, don't waste it on your ego or pat yourself on the back for accomplishments that haven't come to fruition. Instead, work hard. Be resilient and courageous in the face of failure. Know you have worth (and that owning the most recent iphone isn't part of your worth). Be thankful. Always.
Sincerely,
A 2016 Gr. 12 Mathematics Teacher
*Many of the ideas in this letter where gleaned from the "tongue-in-cheek" post 11 Ways to Raise a Child who is Entitled and Rude by Christine Carter.
Just because you graduated with a North American high school diploma doesn't mean the world will be presented to you on a silver platter. I know you have heard the motivational speeches out there. "Just believe" or "You are special" or "Failure is not an option". I hate to break it to you kid, the oh-so-young adult that you are. No ounce of believing will make you what you were destined NOT to be. While you have God-given worth, you are no more special that the other 7 billion on this planet. And -- guess what! -- you will fail.
Your world tends to revolve around the latest smart phone technology. I don't blame you, as the adults in your life are no better in so many ways. But please remember, you don't have the right to technology. No matter what popular culture will tell you, it is NOT a NEED in your life. It's a WANT. It is true that it is becoming more and more difficult to live without one, as it is even an assumption in high schools that you possess one for classroom applications (the unwritten supply on the supply list?). However, you do not NEED it to do Math or research an essay. You do not NEED it to talk to your friend who is in the same room as you. You do not NEED it to be happy or connected with others 24/7. What you NEED is food, oxygen, basic lodging, simple clothing and love. You NEED to unplug yourself from your device to experience face-to-face, distraction-less connection AND reflective alone time. So keep technology in perspective instead of becoming addicted.
Another thing, don't run away from painful or difficult situations for the sake of the visually numbing or for the "lollipops & rainbows" feeling. Our educational systems are often guilty in making things easy for you so you can pass. There is much pressure on teachers to make everything engaging, relevant, and appealing. Schools will employ all the trendy social media platforms to try to capture your attention. On top of that, you are in the generation of the helicopter parent, the parent who attempts to protect you from all harm, who clears your absences when you truly skipped a class or dolls out excuses for you when you should receive a low, low grade. The real world is harsh, my friend. Are you ready? Do you have the resilience to face the competitive world of work, where you will not be the CEO of a company from the get-go? Do you have the work ethic to persevere through the doldrums of life, where the engaging mountain top experiences are rare?
Lastly, be thankful. The world doesn't owe you anything at all. Don't be the adult that ignores those "beneath you". I don't care if that visual minority behind the counter only served you a coffee and a donut. You know what, they served you a coffee and donut! It counts as important! What they do has value! I've been there, doing the service industry thing, and it ain't easy. It is exhausting. And thankless. So, take the time to SEE that person, acknowledging that they exist and have worth.
Graduate of 2016, you have much potential. But, don't waste it on your ego or pat yourself on the back for accomplishments that haven't come to fruition. Instead, work hard. Be resilient and courageous in the face of failure. Know you have worth (and that owning the most recent iphone isn't part of your worth). Be thankful. Always.
Sincerely,
A 2016 Gr. 12 Mathematics Teacher
*Many of the ideas in this letter where gleaned from the "tongue-in-cheek" post 11 Ways to Raise a Child who is Entitled and Rude by Christine Carter.