I recently read an article written by G. Friedrich called Today's Teens. By the time I was finished the first paragraph my mouth was already hanging wide open and my eyes were already uncontrollably forced into a disgusted squint. I was simply shocked and appalled by what I was reading. As I read on my expression only became more horrified.
I have read the article about six times now from start to finish and I've decided something; it is the most ridiculous, inappropriate, uneducated, irrelevant piece of work I have ever come across. Friedrich, an arrogant, pompous man with an obvious lack of understanding when it come to today's youth, has decided to preach to all of us about the "evilness" of teenagers. Yes, the man blatantly wrote, "I am here to expose the evilness that teens have come to symbolize." (Friedrich) Well, I am a seventeen year old girl in my grade 12 year of high school and I am here to expose the gross inaccuracies of G. Friedrich's article.
Friedrich calls teens ignorant. On this point, I agree. Teenagers are ignorant of many life experiences and different relationships and the situations they present. Does Friedrich expect children to just come into the world brilliant and prepared to face every situation in life? Of course this is an unrealistic expectation. Teen years are a time of learning and making mistakes. In order to grow as youth, teenagers are in need of support from loving, understanding adults in society; Friedrich is the exact opposite of this.
Amanda Longheed, a nineteen year old currently attending Lambton College, read the article and spoke to me about one line in particular. In the last paragraph Friedrich addresses the teenage readers, "...or maybe you're one of the "good" teens who does have good values. If you do, thank your parents." (Friedrich)
"What about the so called 'self centered parasites'?" asks Amanda, "Should they not thank their parents as well? Just as teenagers learn their values and manners from...