My generation... Generation Empty

So, I was reading this book called "The Price of Privilege. It basically talks about how the newest generation is full of teenagers and kids who are depressed for no readily apparent reason. They're rich, they have plenty of friends, they have whatever they want... but they still are depressed.

The book goes on to explain why people are so depressed: Our parents, while well meaning, have been taught how to parent wrong. Parents, who are busy working in offices, while well meaning and all, don't pay enough attention to us, and give us money and stuff to appease us. That's not a particularly new thing to psychology, but what is new is that it's happening in conjunction with parents over pressuring kids to succeed in school, and not letting us face our own consequences, all on a mass scale. Parents are raising kids that are depressed because they have no real character; everything we do is dictated to them, we are constantly under tremendous stress to perform well in school, and when we do something seriously wrong because parents do not pay enough attention to us (I know that sounds like a stretch, but if you really consider the impact of having family that isn't there for you as much as you need them to be, it makes sense), like how people have died at high school parties, or how high school girls have been raped by their peers, their parents hire fancy lawyers to prevent their kids from going to jail.

Our generation is filled with these lost kids who act out, who are depressed, who have eating disorders, who hurt themselves, and so, I want to send this message to anyone who reads this: you need to be there for your kids, and you need to let them grow up. Don't make everything too easy for them, cuz they'll fail as soon as they have to stand up on their own.

I don't know what to say.
I've never had kids.
It is sad to think of so many young people suffering so much.
So sorry.
Society has let these kids down.
Hugs.

I think this is a brave post.

Just in case it wasn't clear, I don't consider myself part of this group of teenagers that is growing up depressed and what-not; it does affect me, but thanks to MBTI and other things in my life (including not being rich) I don't think I'm growing up to be a walking facade.

Originally Posted by walking tourist

I don't know what to say.
I've never had kids.
It is sad to think of so many young people suffering so much.
So sorry.
Society has let these kids down.
Hugs.

Indeed it has :( I recommend reading the book, there's a reason it was written, and not just a forum: summarizing the ideas it presents is difficult. Even if you aren't a parent, you can spread it to the parents you know. And at any rate, it's an insight into the mind of many youth.

Originally Posted by Ace Face

I think this is a brave post.

How so?

Originally Posted by Zeptometer

Indeed it has :( I recommend reading the book, there's a reason it was written: summarizing the ideas it presents are difficult.



How so?

Give it time. Just wait 'til more parents start opening this thing up, then you'll get the picture.

Originally Posted by Ace Face

Give it time. Just wait 'til more parents start opening this thing up, then you'll get the picture.

+ I don't think that qualifies as brave so much as careless.

Originally Posted by Zeptometer

+ I don't think that qualifies as brave so much as careless.

I think your opinion is a valid opinion regardless of the worst replies that can be made from other parents.

Originally Posted by Ace Face

I think your opinion is a valid opinion regardless of the worst replies that can be made from other parents.

^^ thanks, I had forgotten how absurdly defensive parents are when it comes to constructive criticism.

still, the point is to get something fixed, so if everyone reacts poorly, the post was in vain :P

Originally Posted by Zeptometer

Parents are raising kids that are depressed because they have no real character; everything we do is dictated to them, we are constantly under tremendous stress to perform well in school, and when we do something seriously wrong because parents do not pay enough attention to us (I know that sounds like a stretch, but if you really consider the impact of having family that isn't there for you as much as you need them to be, it makes sense)

Emotional growth and support is just as important as, if not more important than material achievements.

Originally Posted by Deezzee

Emotional growth and support is just as important as, if not more important than material achievements.

Yeah, and I think that's knowledge NF's are born with, but I don't blame anyone for not knowing. I mean, if somebody means well, how can you blame them for trying their best?