A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of listening to an educated, intelligent and well-respected man speak about modern society. I was excited at the beginning of the talk when he called for people to wake up to reality and realize how much we have advanced. But a sudden change in rhetoric slapped me squarely in the face. I sat up in my chair, shocked at what I was hearing. This man, who I thought was going to speak about society's progression to a better existence, instead fell into the badly beaten rut of condemning our generation.This man was neither subtle nor creative. He spoke about the gruesome violence on television, today's horrible video games, the foul language used in music, the revealing clothes today's youth wear - he went down the list of any and every issue people have ever had with our generation. As he continued to rant, I became increasingly frustrated with what I was hearing. I could feel the respect draining from my body as I listened to him more. How someone could be so blind boggled my mind.

I do not believe that our society is perfect and I am not claiming that we do not live in troubled times; society could stand many improvements. At the same time, I feel it is very easy for people to condemn everything they see because their minds are locked by stagnant values. One can listen to the music on the radio and discount it all as garbage - a deluge of curse words, slang and sexual references. Ignoring the fact that only a small portion of music falls into such a category, it's important to realize something greater: The fact that such music exists is a tribute to how much our society has progressed.

Freedom of speech has empowered people who had no previous way to express themselves. More importantly, the fact that it is acceptable to discuss such issues in public forums (such as music) is an indication that society has advanced, not receded. If anything, such progress should be promoted and fostered, not quieted and condemned.

The issue arises when one is unable to thresh the chaff from the grain. Such people take an issue, beat it to the ground and throw out everything, both the good and the bad. Because they were raised on "old fashion, American values," they assume anything other than meatloaf, potatoes and "Leave it to Beaver" is proof of society's decay.
This terrifies me. I'm afraid because society is not meant to stagnate, rather it is meant to develop, branch and blossom. Sometimes it yields delicious fruit; other times, we are left with withered husks. But it is impossible to order values to halt and to command civilization to remain constant. Humanity cannot be held at the status quo.

Our task is to, as objectively as possible, evaluate where we now stand. We must look at how we've changed both for better and for worse. It is too easy to respond with the knee-jerk reaction and lash out against a group with which we can't identify. We see a group as alien, so we pigeonhole it, stereotyping it to fit preconceived images and notions. It is this automated response against which we must struggle. We have the daunting task of showing the world that their first impressions are incorrect.

This is not an easy task, and perhaps that's why I was so frustrated with the speaker. We were not given the benefit of the doubt. In his speech, all people between the ages of 15 and 25 were delinquents contributing to society's decline. I understand, however, that it is human nature to lump people together. I can forgive the systematism of our peer group. It was his solution that sent me over the edge.

The speaker called for parents to, "take a stand to their kids," and not to be afraid to say "no." While I agree this is good parenting advice, I am pained that this is his answer to society's faults. I agree that parents' roles are to impart to their children knowledge and values. But the values a parent professes should be solid ones, ones that are grounded on strong principles and beliefs. If a parent truly believes that societal standards are wrong, then I understand why a parent would want to impart those values onto a child. But if a parent also values other ideals, such as liberty, individuality, free thought or self-determination, then I would strongly advise the parent to imbue those principles instead.

Teach your children morals; show them what's right and wrong, how to live decently and be a good person. But then realize that they are at that age where they are nearly adults. Soon the parents won't have any control over their children, and the child will only have his wits and knowledge to save him in the real world. The child would be far better suited if he could think for himself and make good decisions than if he can only recall what is permissible and what is taboo. The answer is not harsher judgment, not swifter consequence, but stronger, better reason.