70's vs 05's

There is such a difference in today's youth and the youth of years and years and years (mine, LOL) ago. Something I read on Grahame's blog (which I'll tell you about in a bit) made me think of this.
When I was in college there were so many students who really wanted to make a difference in the world. I wasn't one of them (well, I was, but I wasn't one of them that chose to do anything about it, it interfered with my partying, drug use and one night stands). Sad to say, the actual learning didn't become important to me until it was nearly too late. Nearly. But those that had their priorities in order usually picked careers that would serve others as well as serve themselves, and usually they chose to serve others more than themselves. Good people. I recall many of my friends (yeah, go figure, the good students liked me for some reason) even chose to go into the Peace Corp after spending all that money and time for 4 years of education. I'd love to have done this...but like I said, I was just to self involved and I just couldn't seem to put anyone or anything in front of myself. But, when I stop to think about the people I knew in college, and even those in high school, I rarely remember people talking about how much money they'd make. More like what good they wanted to do, whether it was a career in non profit, medical, even technology, it was usually for the benefit of which they could serve the future population rather than if it could get them into a bigger house with several cars in the drive.

Now, as a teacher that subs, I'm in a lot of different class rooms. Sometimes I sub for a class for a day, sometimes for months. So, I get to know a lot of students, different kind of students. I've been subbing for nearly 7 years, and I've watched many of these kids grow up. On top of this, I have two teenage boys (and known all their friends) and have several friends that are now in their mid twenties that I've known since they were pre-teens. I'm not an expert on today's youth, but I'm not clueless either.

I'm not saying that today's youth are selfish in any way...don't get me wrong. I was reading a story on Charles_X's blog about his sensitivity to others in his youth and it reminded me of my Charlie. Charlie has always been a giver. And at times, it's been so frustrating. Giving your kid a present (sometimes very expensive) and seeing the brat you can't stand down the street having it a week later can infuriate you. I can remember asking him why, why would he give away something he'd wanted for so long and Charlie telling me that *brat*'s dad hadn't came home for *brat*'s birthday and all *brat* had gotten for his birthday was a cake cause *brat*'s mom didn't have any money. Charlie doesn't have a selfish bone in his body. Over the years we've gotten use to his giving his things away. Good kid, and I've known a lot of kids like him. My point is, it doesn't seem like as many of our youth plan out their future in regards as to what good they can do for others, as much as they did many (yeah...many, many) years ago.

What was it that brought me to this post today? Hmmmmm, age is a terrible thing sometimes...racking my memory here...oh yeah. It was what I read on Grahame's blog today. Enjoy:
Progress won’t happen overnight, but it’s a bit like the bloke they found on the beach after hundreds of starfish had beached themselves up on the sand. (Or stranded themselves up on the beach.) He was throwing the stranded starfish back into the water, one at a time. A bloke went up to him and asked, “Hey, what are you doing? There’s millions of them on the beach. What difference can you make?” The stranger threw another one into the water and said with confidence, “Sure made a difference to that one.”

With all due respect to today's youth (kids, teens, young adults), their life is usually a product of the example their parents (family, whatever) has set before them. With that said, I guess Charlie must take after his dad.