America’s youth are moving to the front lines. A few respectable, cognitive ones are showing up at the occupation sit-ins and tea parties, just a tickle of what’s to come from their generation. However, many Millennials are not quite ready to launch their futures. One can hope mentors and parents are doing all they can to empower them to deal with America’s mistakes.
These youth have many names besides Millennials: The Echo Boomers, New Boomers, Trophy Kids and Generation Y’s, etc. Society hasn’t settled on one title, but there are 80 million beginning to take their place in the adult world, according to Wikipedia. Most couldn’t know what’s ahead for them. They’ll be the ones who put Humpty Dumpty back together again, having learned from our good and our bad.
Our East Valley boasts exceptional youth. They’re vibrant and confident. Talk to their teachers. And, find many of them in church attendance or volunteering in their communities. Pew Research tells us 64 percent of American youth believe in God.
My husband and I recently taught Sunday School classes filled with 16- and 17-year-olds. Nearly two dozen would attend, respectfully dressed and courteous, anxious for adulthood preparation. Radical social media rarely reflect images of that base population.
As readers know, I often refer to the works of renowned historians William Strauss and Neil Howe. In their “The Fourth Turning” (1997), they predicted our current world crisis: “With the generations aligned as they are now, the risk of a major continuing crisis remains high for the next twenty years.” Yet the authors emphasize that our crisis offers opportunities to fix national or even global problems. At the helm of that recovery will be our children and grandchildren, “energetic and decisive.”
Of course, kids follow their own drumbeats, but still, parents are foolish to believe our continued influence won’t stick.
I’m guessing the history of Gen. George Washington is rare in today’s classrooms — especially the portions that reveal from where he attained much of his inspiration. There’s a marvelous story of influence behind his character as he, like today’s youth, stepped into his place in history.
This was a man who prayed his way to victory, fortifying his astonishing determination to attain America’s independence. His inspired troops, many without shoes and provisions in the harshest conditions who followed him to victory.
One of many miraculous events occurred in August 1776 in Brooklyn Heights, Long Island. British Gen. Howe had cornered Washington and his 8,000 troops. Despite Washington’s all-night efforts to ferry his troops across the East River to safety, there were many still vulnerable the next morning. “At this time, a very dense fog began to rise (out of the ground and off the river).” It remained exceptionally thick, even after sunrise, covering Washington’s retreat. (The American Revolution, Vol. II).
Washington credited his God with the miracles in his life, but guess who trusted her influence when her son left to serve his country? In her parting words, Mary Washington reminded him: “Remember that God is our only sure trust ... My son, neglect not the duty of secret prayer.” (“Life of General Washington,” John Norton).
This story is a credible reminder of parental and teacher influence, in every aspect of life. And though this very generation is moving into its place in history, it has seen the highest divorce rates of its parents, the highest amount of children in foster care programs, and the highest amounts of child abuse cases in U.S. history. Still, our children are civilization’s hope for recovery; they will not fail.
We best do all we can to shore up each child. Let nothing slip away. Gift them all the good stuff in our arsenal.
• East Valley resident Linda Turley-Hansen (turleyhansen@gmail.com) is a syndicated columnist and former Phoenix veteran TV anchor.
Dale Whiting posted at 8:19 am on Sat, Oct 22, 2011.
Nice to hear Linda including in her article praising youth the "few respectable, cognitive ones . . . showing up at [both] the occupation sit-ins and tea parties". Most conservatives are hammering the Occupy youth groups.
Slabside posted at 7:11 pm on Sun, Oct 23, 2011.
Dale Whiting posted at 7:36 am on Mon, Sep 5, 2011.
"We Whites do have own support groups. Ever heard of the KKK? And when was the last time you saw a picture of a Tea Party ralley with a minority pictured in it?"
Dale, do you think any of Linda's "few respectable, cognitive ones" are minorities?
mrconservative posted at 10:43 pm on Tue, May 15, 2012.
The main difference between the occupiers and tea-partiers is that the tea-partiers are peaceful; they clean up after themselves. The occupiers have been known to us the police cars as their own personal toiltets, among a few other atrocites. Do Dale Whiting and Jon Biteler really support that group? God forbid if they do.
mrconservative posted at 10:44 pm on Tue, May 15, 2012.
(Sorry about the repeated comment. I made a minor error in the above comment.)
The main difference between the occupiers and tea-partiers is that the tea-partiers are peaceful; they clean up after themselves. The occupiers have been known to use the police cars as their own personal toiltets, among a few other atrocites. Do Dale Whiting and Jon Biteler really support that group? God forbid if they do.
downtownresident posted at 2:58 pm on Fri, Oct 19, 2012.
mrconservative,
What planet are you on. Tea party radicals will lie at the drop of a hat and do whatever underhanded evil trickery they think will achieve their mis-guided goals.
Just ask Olivia Cortez and Greg Western. Maybe throw in the Pearce boys, too. All upstanding, law-abiding models of virtue. In a PIGS EYE!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry Olivia, you aren't mearly as scummy as the others. You were duped by the gang.
downtownresident posted at 3:00 pm on Fri, Oct 19, 2012.
Linda,
This piece is so devoid of anything resembling a worthwhile statement that I find it unnecessary to disagree with any of it.
Cas Lee posted at 8:00 pm on Sun, Oct 28, 2012.
Hello, my fellow American voters!
I watched the Oct. 3rd, 11th, 16th, and 22nd debates.
1st Romney-Obama debate covered 7 topics: jobs; budget deficit/debt; social security/entitlements; federal gov’t economic regulation and role; healthcare; partisan gridlock.
2nd Romney-Obama debate covered 11 topics: college graduate jobs; gas prices; taxes; equal pay; Bush policies; Obama’s record; illegal immigrants; Libya; assault weapons; jobs; candidate misperceptions.
3rd Romney-Obama debate covered 10 topics: Libya; Syria; Egypt; U.S. world role; military spending; Israel; Iran; Afghanistan; China; U.S. national security threats.
Ryan-Biden debate covered 10 topics: Libya; Iran; economy; medicare/social security/entitlements; tax reform/spending/budget cuts; military policy; Afghanistan; Syria; abortion; negative campaign tactics.
Romney and Ryan won all 4 debates, although Obama improved some in the 2nd debate and Romney slightly took the win both in the 2nd and 3rd debates.
In the 3rd debate (unlike in prior debates), Obama reflected his weakness and disrespect by interrupting Romney a lot and using too many “one-line quips” to try to denigrate Romney.
Ryan won despite Biden’s consistently rude behavior during the debate (often interrupted Ryan, laughed when Ryan talked, pointed his finger). Biden’s tactics to evade issues/truth disrespected Americans interested in facts, figures, forecasts, and solutions for real people with real problems.
Romney and Ryan won with substance, directness, integrity, respect, clarity, facts, commitment, inspiration, credibility, and leadership.
As an INDEPENDENT female feminist (egalitarian) voter, I support the Romney/Ryan ticket.
Romney and Ryan, with their no-nonsense and methodic approach to solving America’s problems, are the best persons in terms of qualifications and character to lead our country and make life better for all Americans.
I am inspired by Romney/Ryan, and I hope that you are too!
Best regards,
Cas Lee
leftystillfree posted at 1:30 am on Mon, Nov 12, 2012.
Yup, George Washington's praying won the revolutionary war. Sound military strategy, bombs, weapons, and the desire to be free had absolutely nothing to do with it. Just like Georgie Bush's praying won the Iraq and Afghan wars HE started with his deceit and lies. Tell your stupid right wing theories to the parents and families of the soldiers (and civilians) killed fighting them. Where was your God for them? Turley-Hansen, you are with all due respect, a moron.