Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, AUGUST 11th, 1947. WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOUTH?

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 65, 11 August 1947, Page 4

Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, AUGUST 11th, 1947. WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOUTH?

EVERY now and then an elderly person of standing or a group of elderly persons condemn the youth of the day. It always was so. For some reason these critics, perhaps unconsciously, give the impression that the youth of their day was perfect; seldom do they appear to regard the 'position in its true perspective. Youth of today may be this or that —no one would say they are perfect —but mere condemnation will not do any good. Before condemning youth a senior should make sure that he has attuned his mind to the aspirations of the rising generation. Unless he keeps his mind young and by association with the younger set attempts to find out just how they view present day conditions the critic is not in a position to condemn. It is this defect which mars most statements by elderly persons, who cannot com-

plain if as a result they are in turn condemned as “old fogies.” It has lately been said that modern youth has no respect for spiritual things, quite overlooking the fact that unless the word “spiritual” is defined the promise of any such argument may be'false. Youth of today as represented by the New Zealand Diyision earned its greatest reputation —as did its forerunner, the First N.Z.E.F. —for its behaviour off the field. The peaked hat was an open sesame for the homes of whatever country they were quartered in. Could there be a finer tribute to New Zealand youth than that? These same young people have since their return proved themselves far more serious minded than their predecessors, and this fact is. proved beyond question, as those who are closely associated with young farmers’ clubs-, junior chambers of commerce and such organisations know. In fact there is little inherently wrong with the youth of today provided they are given their chance and the sympathy of their elders. The Dominion is not going back as some people aver; commentators from overseas declare the Dominion still leads in social—that is in Christian —legislation. Too often these who condemn do so from because of a jaundiced view of the aspirations of the younger generation and because

they lack the sense of humour to realise that after all is

said and done the youth of today is but a reflection of themselves—spiritually, morally and physically.