Kids these days…this is a favorite starting point for so many people I know to go off on a rant about how today’s youth is self-absorbed, computer-obsessed, short-attention spanned, and entitled. Working with today’s youth five days a week, I am here to say one word in response: “Poppycock.”

Today alone I had four students who were respectful, socially appropriate, focused and humble. That isn’t very different any day of the week.

Some might argue that I see the cream of the crop, and there is some truth to that. However, this same “cream” should be the picture of self-absorption and entitlement, coming from affluent families, and this is simply not the case. Plus, I talk to young people from varying socio-economic strata and I usually see the same behavior exhibited as that of my students.

Others might say, “Well, they come to you for special help. You ought to see them in school.”

I would have to say, “Yes, there might be some difference with some, but for most, their behavior in or out of school varies little. I can tell that by their grades and the reports I hear from them, their teachers and their parents.

The point is that every generation reaches a moment where “Kids these days…” begins a diatribe on the intrinsic evils of the youth culture. This was no different in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s when I was growing up.

A more accurate statement might be instead: “Old people these days…they have forgotten what it’s like to be young.”

The truth is that old people and young people are not very different now versus then. It’s just now we’re the old people looking at the youth and shaking our heads.

Kids these days – for the most part – are decent human beings grappling with the same issues of identity, self-confidence, peer pressure and confusion that we all faced growing up. The world is connected by computers now, which is different from “our” time, but the issues haven’t changed much. Does that boy/girl like me? Am I pretty enough? Am I smart enough? What am I going to do to make money? Will I succeed or fail? We all are profoundly aware of these issues since some of us still wrestle with them from time to time.

So, next time you find yourself starting that sentence, “Kids these day…” I suggest you stop and actually have a conversation with someone younger than thirty. I believe you’ll find they are plain ole human beings just like we adults are, just with fewer wrinkles and less cynicism. You might even feel better after this conversation. This new generation is smart, full of hope and ready to make some positive changes.

Just like we were, just a few years back.