Old people are always saying that the young are not what they were. The same comment is made from generation to generation and it is always true. It has never been truer than it is today. The young are better educated. They have more money to spend and enjoy their freedom. They grow up quickly and are not so dependent on their parents. They think more for themselves and do not blindly accept the ideals of their elders. Every new generation is different from the one that preceded it. Today the difference is very marked indeed.
The old always assume that they know best for the simple reason that they have been around a bit longer. They dont like to feel that their values are being questioned or threatened. And this is precisely what the young are doing. They take leave to doubt that the older generation has created the best of all possible worlds. What they reject more than anything is conformity. Office hours, for instance, are nothing more than enforced slavery. Wouldnt people work better if they were given complete freedom and responsibility? And what about clothing? Who said that all the men in the world should wear dull grey suits and short haircuts? If we turn our minds to more serious matters, why have the older generation so often used violence to solve their problems? Why are they so unhappy and guilt-ridden in their personal lives, so obsessed with mean ambitions and the desire to amass more and more material possessions? Can anything be right with the rat-race? Havent the old lost touch with all that is important in life?
These are not questions the older generation can shrug off lightly. Their record over the past forty years or so hasnt been exactly spotless. Traditionally, the young have turned to their elders for guidance. Today, the situation might be reversed. The old if they are prepared to admit it could learn a thing or two from their children. One of the biggest lessons they could learn is that enjoyment is not sinful . Enjoyment is a principle one could apply to all aspects of life. It is surely not wrong to enjoy your work and enjoy your leisure; to shed restricting inhibitions. It is surely not wrong to live in the present rather than in the past or future. This emphasis on the present is only to be expected because the young have grown up under the shadow of the bomb: the constant threat of complete annihilation. This is their glorious heritage. Can we be surprised that they should so often question the sanity of the generation that bequeathed it?
From For and Against by L.G. Alexander
II. What do / did you argue about with your parents most often? Describe the worst argument you have ever had with them. Read about sex, drugs and alcohol and make a list of the five commonest rules in your or your neighbours family. Do you agree with them? Why / why not?
Becki Heeley (16)
My boyfriend Andy, whos 18, is supposed to be out of my room by 10pm. Weve been going out for six months. We are allowed to be alone in my room but there is a line we dont cross. My mum trusts me, and it would be out of order to take liberties.
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Beckis mum, Jane
I dont have many rules about Beckis room, but there are a few. No ones allowed to smoke, for instance, and friends have to leave by 10 pm on school nights and noise has to be within reasonable levels. She is allowed to have her boyfriend in her room. I dont worry too much about what they do up there because she knows I would kill her. I trust her to behave within reasonable limits.
Mark Malecki (19)
I suppose responsibility is the key word. There arent rules, as such, but Im careful about what I leave lying around. They dont like me smoking in the bedroom. I dont smoke much, but I do have cigarettes in there. I have alcohol as well, but most of it was bought as presents by my family. I also keep condoms in the bedroom.
My parents are very fair and I respect that, but drugs are the one thing they wouldnt forgive. I think they are right and I would never bring drugs into the house.
Marks mum, Maria
Mark frequently has friends round for the evening. He always asks if he wants to have people over, and he is very good regarding noise, I cant say I am happy about girlfriends staying in his room, but as long as hes discreet and careful, I will put up with it. At his age you have to offer a degree of freedom. Drugs are the only subject where there is no room for discussion they are absolutely banned, and I trust Mark to be responsible.
From Daily Mail
take liberties use ones freedom in the wrong way
have smb over invite smb
put up with - tolerate
