Thursday, April 05, 2007

Anyone, anyone

Every now and then I have what I call a "Ferris Bueller" moment. Something happens that day that calls to mind a particular scene from that movie.

For example, today I heard some stats on Gen. Y or Gen. Next that instantly transported me into the scene at the snooty restaurant where Ferris artfully portrayed himself as the sausage king of Chicago. The words "I weep for the future" bubbled in my brain.

According to a snapshot on USA Today, the overriding goal for Gen. Y is to be both rich and famous. Really? Is that all?

Thirty percent want to help others and less than 10 percent wanted some sort of spiritiual connection.

So then I worry. Obviously television, movies and the media are playing too big of a role in young people's lives. Instead of doctors, writers, or humanitarians, they all want to be Paris Hilton. Ugh.

When I was a teenager, I wanted to be one of Charlie's Angels. They were clever, smart, kicked ass and had great feathered hair. And other than their pseudo-call-girl role with Charlie, they were independent.

It never crossed my mind to try for rich and famous. I was more concerned with being taken seriously, despite the big hair and freckles.

If I had a wish for the next generation, it would be to get a glimpse of reality. You have a better chance of being killed by lightening than becoming famous. Accept your lot in life: You're a drone for the man, just like the rest of us.

And for crying out loud, buy some pants that hid your ass crack!!




1 comment:

Anonymous said...

As I work in the classrooms of 5 through 12 year olds, I listen to kids that have these ideas every day. Sometimes, I get so tired of hearing it, I give them a reality check (most of the time, I state it nicely, other times, not so). Kids today live in a dream world. Most of them think their parents are rich because they give them everything that they want. As for me, I make my kids work for everything they want. They get an allowance, just like I did, and they have to buy what they want. The only exception to this is birthdays or Christmas. Kids today are way too spoiled and some of those spoiled kids need to realize that life isn't as easy as receiving money for doing nothing. I could go on forever on this topic, but I'll climb back down off my soapbox :)