Growing Up Nowadays

We have three teenagers. All of them grew up with a pretty idyllic and protected childhood full of play, imagination, creativity and a lot of outdoor space. All three have always had individual inclinations, spirit, will and strength. Geoff and I often marveled at their childhood selves, wondering who in the world they were and who they would become. There was a certain force and power in their small beings, nothing dull or mediocre. As we pass through these teenage years, I feel their first big hurdle will be navigating this phase of life.

Why is it that teenage anxiety and suicide are at an all-time high, with many debilitated at 8-9 years old?
Is it a general rise in screen time, with its brain changing elements just from looking at the darn things?
Is it a lack of time outdoors feeling free and alive?
Is it social media and the comparisons to the ideal life, style, friends, travel, body, etc.?
Is it trying to portray who you wish you were instead of who you really are and losing touch with our basic, fundamental identity?
Is it the addictive nature of social media, video games, etc. that eat away the opportunity to create real self-worth through accomplishment?
Is it exposure to all of the evil in the world too young?
Is it the pressure to get into college with more and more stuffed into their heads (plus all being digested on social media) and less time to be creative and in their bodies? Or the pressure to be a superstar human or you won't get in to college at all?
Is it the confusion of gender and marriage and religion and politics and racism and privilege and sexual assault and the state of the planet ?
Is it the hate and anger now commonplace in the public square?
Is it worrying that any day someone could bust into your school and open fire?
Why do many youth not have enough grit to do hard things? Are they getting away with not doing hard things? For example, do we fill their summers with travel and camps and family gatherings and as a result there is not time for a summer, full-time job? Day in day out hard and sometimes mundane work?
Is the pace of life just too fast to keep up? Is life just too overwhelming?

I mean, this is just my observation, I'm sure there are many other hidden (and not so hidden) forces against these young people. Can you imagine? This is not like my adolescence. In most ways, I do not really relate to their reality. And they don't really remember a time when it wasn't like this, a time without being bombarded by conflicting input, a civil time, a calmer time. I used my first computer to write a paper in college at age 23. That is just how much has changed in the last 20ish years. I have to hand it to the kids of this age. They are brave and strong.

Let's talk about the climate march.

Our girls know a lot of the facts and realities of global warming. We've upped our personal, family game in trying to be more environmentally conscientious, but recognize it is really the big businesses and government leadership that will make the greatest changes. But they want action, they want to live life on this beautiful planet without devastating famines and natural disasters, and they want predictable weather and sea life and clean air and water to drink out of the tap. I admire the determination to bring attention to such a serious and urgent issue.

It is just one of many weights they carry. And yes they don't have a lifetime of experience and judgement, but they know a heckuva lot more than we did at their age. They have a lot to say and their voices are worth being heard. It might just make us think more deeply about things we've put on auto pilot. It has been a privilege, albeit a sometimes hair-raising one, to watch these three grow into themselves. They are capable to chart a different course than we've had to travel. I've learned a lot from their concerns and observations and opinions.

One thing is for sure, they need our confidence and support and encouragement and respect. These years of development are tough enough on their own, but this generation has a heavy load we didn't have to bear. I say, cheer them on!