People In My Generation

If anyone took a look at my generation, they could come up with the conclusion that we are spoiled and lazy in every way possible. This conclusion in my opinion is fair. It makes sense from what they see in their eyes. However, there is much more to any person than meets the eye.

The first thing I want to touch upon regarding my generation is the concept of under-development that is presumed with us. Any person would think that teenagers are the most irresponsible people ever and I don’t blame any single on of those people. Just like any stereotype, it is showcased through books and television, pushed into the minds of any viewer as a permanent idea or thought. However, I would say that teenagers at least this year, have improved their maturity and have accepted their responsibilities more. The pandemic has changed every single one of us and possibly for the better. Even before the pandemic though, I could name countless number of teenagers who have a great work ethic and actually put thought into every decision and action they make. I think it’s absurd to think that age is the only defining factor of a person’s maturity in this world. There is so much more to it, including experiences a person may have dealt with.

Another idea that I find so ridiculous is the idea that adults know better. Now I know that that is the stereotype in this world. Once you get older, you have more wisdom and are able to make better choices in life. Even though that is mostly true, it isn’t always. There have been countless times where I have been looked down on by an adult because they feel superior to me. I find it funny when that same adult makes the worst decision they could ever make right in front of me for my “not-developed” eyes to see. I feel like since my generation is labeled as kids, we are perceived as just that. There is no further explanation for us and I feel that that is actually a lack of wisdom for some adults. At the end of the day, whoever has learned or experienced something more is going to be the person with most insight on that topic. It isn’t all about growth. Sometimes the experiences you thought you were going to have as you got older happened sooner. Therefore, the wisdom that any kid would be lacking in that certain situation has now taken precedence in their mind.

The last thing I want to mention is the idea of phones. My generation was born in an era with iPhones and technology that have never been seen before. Kids my age were astounded at the idea of an item that could access the internet and let us stay connected with friends. I can say with one hundred percent certainty however, we weren’t the only ones amazed by the concept of iPhones. Adults nowadays also have iPhones and are using them far more than kids are. At least for me, the usage of my phone is mostly spent on school as “Google Classroom” and all of my assignments are stored onto it. For adults however, constant Facebook posts are being uploaded from their account about their day and what went on. I find it kind of hypocritical from adults when they say to us that we are invested in our phones and never experience the life around us when their noses are practically right up against their bright screen. You may be thinking that by me stating this accusation that I am being stereotypical towards adults and I am. Adults stereotype my generation as snotty teenagers while I am stereotyping them as hypocrites. I guess that’s just how the world goes.

I could be wrong and I probably am, but that is the power that stereotypes have over people. It can make any person feel stuck as they are categorized into a group that doesn’t describe their personality at all. So, why do adults have this need to stereotype us when it is apparent it doesn’t count for everyone? Why are there stereotypes in the first place? These are questions that come to mind when thinking about this assumption of under-development, the idea of being naive, and the idea of living through a bright screen.