Generation Useless

Much as I like bagging out the youth of today, (in the venerated tradition handed down through the generations), I did think the TV program I saw recently about young adults unable to boil an egg or change a wheel on their car was slightly rough on them.

Everyone has to be taught how things work, (not to mention how to interact socially and maintain a suitable level of hygiene). A lot of young people seem to have trouble with some of the above examples - sometimes all three at the same time. But my point is, if a person hasn't been told/shown/taught how to operate/act/cook, the rest of us have no right to slag them for that ignorance.

On the other hand, if they have been shown/told/taught and just can't seem to follow instructions, then they are fair game.

I was very lucky to have parents who instilled life-skills into me from an early age. I sure felt that they wanted me to see the world as soon as legally possible (waiting for a teenagers' brain to catch up with his/her breakneck pace of living must be quite tiring). But, being thrust into the big, bad world is frightening enough when you are able to fend for yourself. I'd hate to try to cope without the skills I'd been given.

I find it amusing that coddled kiddies of today look at me and think: "That old guy can't keep up with the technology of our world". And they're right. But should I apologise? I can cook, clean, maintain my possessions and engage in a meaningful relationship with other people. I'll accept that we have a difference in priorities but I'd rather have good core life skills than be at the cutting edge of technology.

I'm happy to let youngsters forge ahead - sometimes the path they leave behind is less hazardous when the pitfalls are filled with someone-else's money, blood sweat and tears.