Kids today.

It’s time to forgive kids for having the audacity of being born after us.
It’s time to let it go.

Generations have always shamed the generation that followed them—that’s been happening for decades, ever since humans have had that kind of time on their hands.

“Well, when I was a kid—-“

“I’m so sad these kids are growing up in this day and age.”

“I hate that they didn’t have the childhood I had.”

“Kids today! They’re the worst.”

“MY generation was the ‘last generation to play until the street lights came on’—-“

These phrases need a pillow to the face.

First of all, when your child hears you say these kinds of things, what they’re actually hearing is this:
“Your life is worse, and harder, than mine was.”
“Life today sucks, and it’s going to get even worse, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“I feel sorry for you.”
“You can’t really do any good here.”

Second, although it’s no joke that serious and sometimes scary things are happening in 2023 (any and all of them flashing across our face 24/7 through the media), REALLY GOOD things are happening, too. Scary and promising things can, and always have, co-existed. It’s the nature of being human on this planet, and our study of history reaffirms this reality. Empires rise, empires fall. There are good guys, bad guys, good guys who do bad things, and bad guys who have done good things. There are wars, famines, inventions, movements, counter-movements, new ideas, and old ideas resurrected. There are also medical advancements, scientific breakthroughs, unprecedented measures of safety in place, and all kinds of other exciting things. Nothing victimizes childhood quite like fear.

Third, difficult times develop character. Challenges give the opportunity for new challengers. Bullies inspire underdogs. The themes present in every single hero story, from ancient times to Spider-Man, are (in my opinion) reflections of how humans have always interpreted the struggles of their day. And every day (decade, century, millennium) has had its fair share of struggles, and with them, their heroes. Even amongst the “Tide Pod generation.”

Fourth, and this may sting, is that Americans (and Westerners in generation) have what I call “historical amnesia”. It’s akin to the scourge of historical nostalgia. Historical amnesia is the perpetual forgetfulness of what certain periods of the past were ACTUALLY LIKE. The past is rated R (sometimes worse). This comes from our cultural penchant for moving forward, always reaching for progress, worshipping entertainment and barely looking into the past except to weaponize it for social/political/religious reasons. We don’t see the past properly because we don’t know it very well (countless studies over the last century have proven this). So we compare 2023 and our childrens’ current realities to some Little House on the Prairie that didn’t really exist in the same romantic, glossy way we thought it did. What was beautiful about the 1950s for some, for example, was a nightmare for others. When we raise these elements of the past on a pedestal, our deeply-held views are shaken and our hearts are broken when challenged by historical fact. Our perceptions are shattered because they were served up on a Currier and Ives platter.

Lastly, your child was born at exactly the right time. There is nothing new under the sun, EXCEPT your child: there has never been another one of him/her before, and there never will be again. They are here for a reason, a purpose, and a plan (this is a strong belief of mine based on my Christian faith that I just won’t apologize for). Armed with guidance, wisdom, and truth, what looks like a bleak landscape for previous American generations will be nothing for them.

So.
Tease them about their crazy slang and haircuts, force them to listen to “real music” (I.e. 2000s alternative, thank you very much), and cringe a little here and there. But remember, we aren’t here for very long: them play their part.
Because it’s going to be an important one.

{Acts 17:16-27}

—————————-
For more information about historical illiteracy, historical amnesia, and the importance of knowing history, read “How it Happened”: https://thehomeschoolhistorian.com/howithappened/