Why new generations act like they do?

I know you've heard comments like:

• "These teens think they are entitled to everything,"

• "Young people think they deserve everything without any effort,"

• "They act like they are easy to break,"

• "These youngsters act like they don't care,"

• "Teens nowadays act like they are afraid or anxious about everything"

These comments made me question why these generations ( Millennials and Generation Z) act like this? I started analyzing these claims and it made me very sad and angry because I also found some of their actions senseless and out of control. I was ready to join the chorus of voices criticizing their actions when the following questions came to mind: Instead of just criticizing, What are you doing to influence this generation? What are you doing to guide them? Are you educating them? What legacy are you leaving to the new generations? Have you thought about your responsibility in their attitudes and actions? Wow, this is a difficult question to answer? Especially if we start analyzing that we are the ones who are raising them.

It is easy to complain about their actions, but have we analyzed our responsibility for their rebellions and actions? Of course not, because it is easier to point forward than to point at ourselves and admit that we failed at something. For example, you complain that they don't value things and think they deserve everything, but you buy them everything even when you can't. Even in times, they don't really deserve it, just because you don't want them to go through "bullying" at school because they don't have the latest sneakers or the latest fashion. To compensate for the lack of time and attention, you made the mistake of buying them expensive things or satisfied their every whim. You complain that they don't listen to you, but growing up, did you sit down to listen to them? Did you value their opinions and claims? Or did you delegate that responsibility to teachers, counselors, and psychologists?

You complain that they don't respect you, but you failed to exercise your responsibility as parent. You preferred to become their friend, yielding your role to others and never correcting them on time. You complain that there is no reverence for older people as there was in our times, when it was your responsibility to teach them to say good morning, excuse me, please, or ask for a blessing. You complain that they are doing poorly in school, but you never check their notebooks or sit down with them to explain their homework because your life is so rushed or complicated. You complain that they talk bad and listen to trash, but you leave them in front of a television, a tablet, or a computer without any supervision or control. You complain that the only thing they know is to play electronic games, but you never limit their time in front of these games. On the contrary, you let the TV, the phone, the tablet or the game console become their babysitters because you don't want to be disturbed. You complain that they don't have true aspirations or big dreams, but you have unloaded your frustrations and your failures on them and with your words and actions, you clipped their wings and killed their faith. You complain that they don't believe in anything, but you never spoke to them about Christ. If they don't want to go to church, you leave them asleep and go alone. Or worse, you have your priorities so wrong that you spent 24/7 at the temple or at work instead of taking care of your family, which is your first ministry.

I know that not all cases are the same, and I know that there are times the attitudes and actions of some young people are due to external influences and pressures that led them to go astray along the way. But even when we realize there are external influences at play, we must think about what we are doing to help them. I am optimistic, and I don't give up easily. I think it is not too late to take action and rescue these new generations. If we compromise, we can do something to remedy the damage. It is up to us to influence, teach and guide them. Instead of giving them up for lost, we can leave them a legacy of love and guidance. Yes, I know that it also depends on them accepting help, correction, and our teachings. I know that it will not be an easy task and that it will not always bear fruit, but even if only one changes, isn't it worth trying?

I have a special place in my heart for young people, and I have a passion for helping them. From my experience, I know that it is not easy, but I also know how rewarding it is to witness what these new generations can do and achieve if they are supported and loved. They have good responses when they feel they've been heard and considered. When they receive the correct direction and guidance, they respond accordingly. Many of these young people want to feel valued and considered. The enemy attacks them so much for a reason because he knows that these new generations have great potential; he knows that they are the ones who can cause changes, and that makes them a threat to his plans. The devil knows that when these generations fall in love with God, they have a powerful and incorruptible passion, and that scares him.

Today I invite you to self-analyze and think about what you can do for a young person, for a teenager in your life, to change their perspective on life. Let's start by correcting them, guiding them, and criticizing less. Let's accept the challenge and leave these new generations a legacy of LOVE.