Ask Lemmy

A while ago I decided that I wasn't going to be the old guy that hates everything that happens after the 1900s, so I always try to give the "new" the benefit of doubt.

When my Dad was a teenager/ young adult (late 70s), he was rebuilding cars and hunting, and had on at least one occasion that I've heard of, driven drunk, (accidentally tore up the grass in a park, but never got busted) and he grew his own weed.

When I was a teenager/young adult, (late 90s) we were smoking and drinking, playing D&D and Goldeneye, and battling each other in the woods with sticks and bb guns (I still have a few bbs in my leg).

My kids play video games. My oldest daughter is high honors in college, has yet to touch any drugs or alcohol. Middle son is the most social of all of them, and has been busted by us with beer a few times, but he's also bringing home straight As, and is thinking of going to college for math. Youngest daughter isn't a teenager yet, so we'll see what she turns into.

I've noticed a lot of teenagers are not learning to drive like previous generations did. It's easier to get around, interact with friends and buy what you need without a car. (Less cars are good for the environment, not sure if there are other positives or negatives on this one, it's mostly just a thing I've noticed.)

They are also MUCH more accepting of LGBTQ+ folks, and generally less racist than older people.

As far as new problems caused by the Internet: There is cyber bullying, but I know there have been bullies and violence since the dawn of civilization. They definitely don't get as much outdoor time and exercise.

I don't know. Better? Worse? Probably just different. Every modern generation's youth lived in a time unlike anything we'd ever seen before, and every generation's parents hated it.

The kids are going to be just fine. But forcing traditions and policies that were designed for days long passed, is only going to hold them back.