Let Me Tell You What's Right About This Generation

Kids these days. Generation after generation is convinced that every new crop of human beings just doesn't measure up to the batch they were plucked from. I've been working with college students for three years now, and I'm convinced that kids these days are a heck of a lot better than my generation. Okay, okay, I work at a small Christian college, and my students may not be a demographically accurate sample of their generation at large, but these kids get a lot of bad press. I want to set the record straight. Here is a list--by no means exhaustive--of things I think are just fabulous about this generation:

1. They are kinder. On my recent trip, one student announced that he couldn't sing, but he liked to anyway. He then proceeded to regularly break out in song at random intervals throughout the entire week. As loudly as he pleased. I'll admit, he wasn't as bad as he seemed to think he was, but my generation would have crushed him. That he would dare to sing out loud and not be good enough to be "The Next Big Thing" would never have been tolerated. He would have been ridiculed until his spirit was crushed and he could never open his mouth to sing again without feeling ashamed. Not this generation. They joined right in and sang along. Every time. And never once made fun. These kids are kinder to each other and everyone else.

2. They are authentic. Probably because of Point #1, these kids are willing to make themselves vulnerable and share parts of their inner selves that are surprising. Some of this info I would never want to know . . . but, it's disarming to see how willing they are to show you they are flawed. Not surprisingly, this results in relationships that are stronger and more sincere.

3. They value their relationships. I've heard it said often that all this technology: Facebook, Twitter, text messaging, etc. are impairing this generation's ability to communicate. I have not personally observed anything to support this claim. It appears to me that this generation has the same small, core group of friends that every generation had while growing up--and, in reality, it tends to be that way for the rest of our lives. The difference is that these kids are able to keep in contact with old friends in ways we never dreamed possible. Once we experienced a life transitions (a move, off to college, etc.), we said we'd keep in touch, but we always really knew we probably wouldn't. Life moved on. These kids have the ability to touch base with old friends every day. And they do.

Sidenote: Some claim that the constant texting is impairing kids' ability to communicate. I do see an abhorrent trend in spelling, grammar, professionalism, and a generally poor ability to communicate verbally on a professional level and in written form on any level. It's my belief that this stems from philosophical and methodological problems in the education system, rather than as a direct result of their new technological lifestyle.

4. They have great taste in music. Every generation has been defined, in no small part, by their music. Until now. Thanks to downloads, this generation has access to the music from every generation from the beginning of recorded music until now. They listen to Top 40 radio less than I do. Their ipods are loaded with The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Disney movie soundtracks (I kid you not), and even some songs from my grandma's generation. Since music has long been a tool of rebellion, I think it will be interesting to see how this trend impacts the relationship between this generation and previous generations.

5. These kids give of themselves. At the college where I work, students are required to participate in community service. In fact, that is my job: to set the service requirements and make sure they are met. For every student I hear complain about the requirements, I see at least three that are coming in to say they have a great idea for how to help someone in need, and can I point them in the right direction to get this thing rolling. They don't just talk about the state of the world, they plunge in and do something about it. More than any generation I've seen in my lifetime.

No generation is perfect. But I have a lot of admiration and respect for this one, and I thought it was time to give credit where it's due. Nice knowing you, kids. You inspire me to be a better person.

As for the novel, I am entering Day Five and I'm pleased to say that I've surpassed my quota every day thus far. The honeymoon isn't over . . . yet.