Common statements I often hear from the previous generation are,

“You kids these days think you can be anything from an astronaut to a ballerina”

“They think if they just follow their dreams they can change the world!”

“Whats wrong with this generation? They have no work ethic!”

And you know what? All of that really bothers me.

First of all, we were raised by the generation who speaks those exact words. We were told as children that we could be whatever we wanted to be, do whatever we wanted to do, and we could move mountains just by being who we were. Our parents generation seemed to rarely have hope and encouragement from their families so when they had their own children they wanted to give them the world and everything in it. Our parents generation changed everything about child-rearing. No, it wasn’t anything remarkable but they started a movement where love, encouragement, and believing in yourself was more important than what the world thought of you. 

Second of all, when I hear those spiteful words coming out of an adults mouth I always hear a bit of jealousy and anger behind it. Our generation seems to have a lot more of a care-free attitude and I think its something that the generation of our parents missed out on and desperately wish they hadn’t. In all honesty, can you blame them? Generations before us rarely had the luxury of following their dreams or even graduating high school for that matter. To see the kids of this generation seek out their own destinies with high hopes must be frustrating to the people who had to buckle down and work for what was practical. 

Third, as usual the previous generation gripes about the minority of young adults that don’t work hard or persevere. I know that there are many people my age who don’t challenge themselves but every generation has those kinds of people. This is nothing new. With every wave of a new generation there are always those who will bum off the system and refuse to take responsibility for themselves. But, as history has shown, those who give everything their best and embrace hard work will rise above the rest. 

So as you can see, not much has changed. Yes, my generation has a different outlook on life but so does every generation have a different outlook than the rest. We’re different and thats good. We wouldn’t be much fun if we were just like our parents and if we were we would only make the same mistakes that they did. Change is inevitable, whether we like it or not. Griping about a younger generation only breeds animosity and frustration from both sides. Be an encourager and tell us the stories of your mistakes. You are what we learn from. You are who we look up to. 

I guess what it comes down to is that we can change the world. Not with one person but one generation sure can make a difference and that is what matters. Those who say otherwise have become bitter with age and have stopped growing from within.

I’m proud of the generation I come from, mistakes and all.

There’s a medicine that, in half a century of use, has been linked to a grand total of zero deaths or serious complications. It’s safer than aspirin. Physicians willingly admit that their advice is not needed for it to be taken correctly. The largest organization of pediatricians in the nation is urging its members to pre-write prescriptions for patients who may need it, because it’s so safe they believe everyone should have access without visiting a doctor.

This medicine is often desperately needed. It must be taken within a specific 120 hour period in order to be effective. It prevents a condition that can be devastating to the people it affects, especially young people, who are more likely to develop depression, drop out of school, and even die. Furthermore, if young people can’t get this medicine when they need it, they are more likely to spend their lives in poverty, never marry, and have their kids end up in jail.

So why has the supposedly progressive Obama administration repeatedly spoken out against making this medicine available over-the-counter to young people, even after a federal judge ruled that girls under seventeen must be given access to this medicine? Why would the president go against all scientific evidence and say that the medicine “could be dangerous if misused”?

Because the medicine is emergency contraception, the medical condition it treats is pregnancy, and Americans are terrified of teenage girls being in control of their own sexuality.