The first written complains that a language is "going down" came from ancient Egypt and ever since. Basically since man can write we have written reports complaining about the next generation.
(and I would love to see those hieroglyphs... )
Bottom line from that article: It is all fine, looking closely at written homework at high school level did the language use not suffer, but improve. And this while there are today four times more (40% vs 8%) kids of a year attending high school.
I agree with the OP..I think the youth today is a disaster...reasons for it?
several...I personally think it has a lot to do with materialsm...both parents these days work to keep up the standards of living allowing them to splurge on the gadgets, cars, brand clothing...that leaves kids alone and unsupervised roaming the streets of small and large cities...of course the media has a huge influence at it is via media we learn about all the great lives of the rock and rap stars and the rich and famous....the bored kids whose parents are to busy to earn the buck soak this in and it quite easily influences their behaviour...when I was a kid in the old country I remember that all kids were required to wear a uniform...everyone was equall. Nowadays that hardly would work since they are bombarded with information via the net, tv, radio and still magazines...
kids nowadays yes are tech savvy but generally I would say they are dummer than the previous generations by quite a bit....with exceptions of course
come on, we had uniforms at my schools but that didn't make people equal, some had black designer trousers instead of school issue, some had labled shirts, or labled shoes, and come sports lessons all bets where off. thats before you get to things like coats, watches, jewelry etc. and of course everyone knew what 'toys' people had at home, eg rich kids had BBC computers etc
What`s wrong with today`s youth? ..... Absolutely nothing. They are just Today`s Youth, and still young people. Their turn will come to ask that same question......... ahh yes!
Anyone remember the days of "Ducktail" hairstyles for men?.... and skin-tight drainpipe pants?..... and leaky noisy old motor bikes with DROP handle-bars...?
My Dad was disgusted at this emergence of "modern" youth ...... In his day they rebelled by running away from home to go fight in a war, or go big-game hunting - "man things"..... not looking like some darn freak riding a motor-bike with his ass sticking up in the air.....and Men wore decent wide "flannels" up to their armpits...
High school teacher speaking: criterias for grading have changed, so I would love to see on what criterias the comparaison is based. Just curious.
I put it differently: there are still as many good students as ever before, there are just more students. Do the maths.
I otherwise agree that younth language is a natural phenomenon that will never ever disappear, but that does not mean that adult language should not be learned as well (Saying that, I should work on adult English... don't worry, I teach other subjects).
so please bring more american culture n lifestyle over to europe: tv, radio, "fashion" and food. we love it, happy consuming, adapting! its great! gods own country n stuff...
I have to say that I don't see anything wrong with any of the things you describe, sure those things can be a bit annoying (especially if the trousers are crack-tastic ) but they don't tell you anything about the character of the kids. Last place I lived you'd be a fool to wander around spaced out, so one thing I like about it here (or anywhere I've been in Switzerland - the list is still short) is that I don't have to cross the street and/or go into hyper-vigilant mode when I see a bunch of kids hanging out.
Just a thought, has any parents considered the impact of hooking their children on TV and CD's in instances, when they are "too tired" or "busy" and cannot be bothered to give them some attention?
i.e. While travelling give them a portable CD player to keep them busy, rather than talking, sharing some experiences and their curious questions, they might have about the places they are travelling through etc?
Putting on the TV, when returning home from work so they can have some peace and quiet?
Sharing as much time with the kids help make a bond which could have extensive rewards in the later stage of your lives. Your kids will have higher regard for you and listen to you more.