Worst generation ever.

This is what my generation is described as.  It’s hard not to smirk at this statement.

You know what’s sad? My generation, the “worst generation ever”, is already calling the generation after us the “worst generation ever”.  We do so without even batting an eye, but do we realize that we are calling children the worst generation ever. Not only do we have no idea who they will become, but we are the ones responsible for helping them grow into the best versions of themselves. If they become the worst generation ever then who failed, them or us?

To be honest with you, if the generation below us becomes “the worst generation ever” then it is OUR fault.  We are responsible for raising the children of this world.

This reminds me of what my cousin, Kristin, said about her visit to Africa on the World Race.  The community raises the child.  Here in the United States if you were to correct someone’s child then you can expect to be cursed out by their parents.  We see this in how teachers are blamed for their students’ academic failures.  What would happen to the next American generation if the community raised the child?

Why do we call each generation the worst generation ever? Is it to justify ourselves? Or is it payback for being called the worst generation most of our lives? Who knows?

What we really need to be asking ourselves is “is it okay to do this?” Is it okay to call any generation the worst generation ever? Absolutely not.  When someone is told that they’re stupid, a failure, worthless, lazy, a horrible person, etc., enough then they will start to believe it and eventually become it.  Don’t believe me?  Even in therapy they tell those dealing with self-esteem to repeatedly tell themselves that they are beautiful, worthy, accepted, loved, and so on even if they don’t believe it. Eventually they start to believe it because they’ve heard it so much.  It has even worked for me and my self-esteem. 

I’m not writing this so that the generation before us will feel guilty for raising us as “the worst generation ever”. That isn’t our place and we’ve done enough of the “blame game”, but I come to all of you with a challenge.  I challenge you to speak well of those that we are raising to take on the world after us.  They look up to and rely on us.  It is our job to raise them well.  If we raise another “worst generation ever” then the blame can only fall on us.