needs to be told when they solve a problem correctly or produce an excellent piece of work. Encouragement will only bring about repetition; and, maybe after being told that they’ve done something right, today’s teens will be able to much more easily say: “I’m responsible.” It is disappointing to come across such an abyss between the viewpoints of elders and teenagers on teen habits. I wish everyone could realize that teenagers are at a very early stage of their lives and that they are still in a very active process of learning. At the same time, I also believe that this abyss is necessary. Teenagers need the opportunity to prove to adults that they are not at all punks and slackers. It can almost be compared to the United States’ system of checks and balances. Before modern youth goes “down the tube” and generations of lazy, uneducated teens erupt, it is necessary for young people to be notified by teachers, parents, and other adults when something isn’t up to par. To sum it all up, we all have the capacity to do our best and be productive; but we all have to know when we’re settling for “good enough.” ...
