The Kids Are Alright: Good News About Today's Teens
Are today’s teenagers really as disconnected, anxious, and screen-addicted as the headlines make them seem? In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Cathy and Meredith take a more hopeful look at what is going well with this generation and why the kids really are alright. They discuss declining rates of risky behavior, the ways young people are becoming more open about mental health, and how today’s teens are often more comfortable talking about identity, inclusion, and social responsibility. They also explore how teenagers today are often more connected to their parents, more willing to have real conversations, and more interested in making a difference than simply chasing money or status. Tune in for an encouraging conversation about why parents, educators, and anyone working with teenagers should pause to notice what is working, and remember that there is still plenty of hope for the future.
Key Points From This Episode:
[0:01:25] The motivation behind today’s topic: what is going well with teens today.
[0:03:03] How risky behaviors like drinking, drug use, sex, and teen pregnancy have declined.
[0:06:01] Hear how teens are more open about mental health and learning differences.
[0:06:43] Find out how teens are more aware of identity and inclusion.
[0:08:13] Understand how young people see justice, equity, and accessibility.
[0:09:24] Discover why teens see fewer barriers to investing and business.
[0:10:34] Explore how the internet has helped teens find and create opportunities.
[0:11:05] Learn why community engagement is common for many teens.
[0:12:34] Unpack why teens today are closer to their parents.
[0:14:58] Simple actions for parents to highlight their teen’s positive behaviour.
[0:16:20] Uncover how college pressure can make parents overlook what is going well.
[0:17:36] Why Cathy and Meredith feel hopeful about today’s teenagers.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: