Ahmad once had this song and the line that I remember the most was the chorus “back in the day when I was young, I’m not a kid anymore” and I am really glad that I’m not a young person in these days.

One of the biggest reasons that I am glad I’m not young these days is because many young people not only lack respect for each other, many don’t have any respect for themselves.  Try telling them that and one can expect an argument out of this world.  I don’t blame the young people entirely; I place part of the blame the breakdown on the fact that as a society, we expect less from them than previous generations.

When I was growing up, young men opened the doors for women and the elderly out of common courtesy.  I am not sure that many in this generation even know what common courtesy is, because I have watched many go through a door and let it close on the elderly person behind them.  That pisses me off to no end; that was unheard of when I was younger, hell it’s still unheard of to me.

I remember when men didn’t curse in mixed company; they had enough respect for women that it just didn’t happen.  Now, not only do young men curse in front of young women, the young women are cursing back, and loudly.  I remember taking my mom and dad out for dinner a few years ago and sitting at the table behind us, there was a group of young men talking, if that’s what you want to call it.  Every other word that came out of their mouth was “fuck”, “fuck that bitch”, “fuck you”, “fuck that”, you get my drift.  If that wasn’t bad enough, their conversation was graphic; it was one of those conversations that could have been printed in some smut magazine about some tawdry one night stand.  It got so bad that I finally just walked back to their table, told them that I was with my parents and asked if they could tone it down and show a little respect.   They were not only embarrassed but they actually apologized to my parents, which I thought was very cool.

They guys are not the only one lacking in some kind of home training.  Some of the young ladies are just off the chain.  It seems that they have gotten the message that it’s what’s between their legs that matters more than what’s between their ears.  A lot of young women are basing their self-esteem on what guy they can get into bed or if they can “steal” another woman’s guy, even if it’s only for a night.

I just love it when young people use the phrase “get out of my business”, many of these young people don’t even know that they have no business.  They are so busy putting their entire life online, never stopping to think that once it’s on the net, they have invited the world into their business.  A gentleman used to not kiss and tell, well many of these young people are not only kissing and telling but fuckin’ and telling all of it.  What is that?

If all of that is not bad enough, many young people don’t even know how to apply for a job.  When I was working in human resources, I recall young people coming in and asking “aye, is ya’ll hiring”?  I was obligated to give them an application and when they came back for the interview, the young men would come in wearing a pair of slacks, sagging of course and the young ladies were coming in wearing skirts shorter than Amber Rose’s hair.  Who taught them that?  Rather, whoever was supposed to tell them NOT to do those things dropped the ball.

I think that this generation has a lot of entitlement issues.  No one wants to actually work hard for anything anymore.  Many young people have been given so much that they feel as if the rest of the world is supposed to provide for them instead of them breaking a sweat and working for what they want.  Not comparing young people to dogs, but I don’t even give my dogs treats unless they work for it even if it’s simple command such as sit.

The sad thing is, this is the generation that will be raising their children with the same flawed thinking.  I once saw a video on YouTube about a little boy (he must have been about 5) that was just cussing up a storm about his bike.  The people were so busy taking phone recordings, laughing at him and encouraging him to keep it going, not once, did anyone tell that little dude to watch his mouth let alone correct his behavior.

It really pisses me off when I see videos of young girls dancing and executing moves that hookers could only hope to learn.  I see nothing entertaining about children booty poppin and moving in ways that could almost be considered as pornographic while being cheered on by adults who should know better.

This generation is, without a doubt, the “me” generation and unless things impact their lives they don’t worry about it.  There is often no consideration for the feelings of others and the value of human life is worth less than the value of a dollar.

I am not a goody-goody, but the difference between how many young people are today versus how my generation was raised to be, makes me wonder whether or not we all actually grew up on the same planet.  I think that whenever possible, we need to reach out to some of these kids and show them how to be excited about who they are inside versus some of the negative things that manage to keep them captivated.  Each one, teach one.  End rant here …..