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Author: Amy Thompson Sevimli
Sometimes it seems like our society gets its kicks out of putting young people down. Among the charges leveled against “young people these days,” many claim poor behavior and a reliance on instant gratification (even if the accusers are the same people who taught us our manners and provided us with instant gratification digital cameras…but I digress). As someone who not only spends a lot of time reading the research about the unprecedented accolades and accomplishments of 20 and 30 somethings but also works with them as well, I am repeatedly disheartened by the oft-repeated characterizations of younger generations.
It is for this reason that I have been so heartened by two media spotlights in the last week, which highlight both the positive statistics about “young people these days” as well as what those same young people are doing in and for our world. Michelle Obama wrote an op ed piece in the April 16 edition of USA Today, not the about the naiveté or silliness of young people’s ideals but about the necessity of their youthful idealism. She even highlighted the work of young adults in an organization close to the hearts of many right here in DC: Lutheran Volunteer Corps. On the following Friday, Jay Matthews wrote an article in the Washington Post about 20 and 30 somethings who are in his words, “…bright and restless risk-takers…who have started charter school networks, invigorated public school systems and turned teacher unions in new directions.” He goes on to point out that even though the majority of teachers in this age group have neither much support nor many leadership opportunities in their school systems, they are still finding ways to bring change to schools, systems, and teachers. Both of these authors either cited statistics about young adults and/or gave concrete example of the multiple ways they are making our world a better place.
What strikes me about these stories is the ways in which “young people these days” are defying statistically unfounded stereotypes about their generation, and instead working for the betterment of their communities and the institutions which serve them. Instead of seeming anti-institutional, they seem interested in working in and with institutions to make a difference in the lives of others. Yet, when we look around one institution, which has long been a staple of communities across our country, we find that young adults are conspicuously absent. So, what I wonder then is what’s keeping them from the Church?
I hear a lot of answers to this question from young adults: the Church is judgmental; no one listens to us; no one is interested in the suggestions we bring to the table; our questions are unwelcome. Only rarely do I hear from young adults that they are uninterested in exploring the spiritual side of their being. More often than not, their responses to the question revolve around the fact that “young people these days” want to participate in and make a difference in the institutions of which they are a part, and the Church seems unwilling to accept them.
So, what keeps you or your friends from participating? And even more, what would you like to try or suggest to the Church? We’re listening!
May 7th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I Agree wholeheartedly – and it’s not just the 20-30 yr olds who have restless wonderful idealism. It goes even younger – all the way to jr high school students who rise to the challenge to serve.
So what keeps young people from participating??? Maybe ownership? There’s a certain type of personality (I happen to have it) that is entrepreneurial (sp?) and needs to be able to create something as well as participate. What if momma church gave challenge grants to young people – $1000 for a college summer internship and said – ok, go do something. We don’t really care what – as long as it serves the world.
April 12th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Awesome post as usual, thank you for posting such helpful stuff on a regular basis.