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<p>Yuck. I was at the hair salon one day when I overheard this story: A woman was in her front yard playing with her young son when she observed her neighbor (just turned 16 years old) coming out of her front door, followed by her mother, who was filming her with a video camera. In the driveway was a brand new Hyundai SUV with a large red bow on the roof. The 16 y/o girl began to sob, saying “That is SUCH a crappy car.” Mom chuckled, and right about that time, Dad came around the corner, driving the “real present,” a brand new BMW. They had rented the Hyundai as a joke, knowing that their daughter would be upset, and wanted to capture the whole thing on video so that they could preserve the moment for perpetuity. </p>
<p>While I felt the teen’s behavior was abhorrent, the problem clearly lies with the parents. If teens aren’t growing up or becoming good citizens, it’s not all their own fault. They aren’t any worse than teens of any other generation, they are just not being parented well.</p>
<p>That said, I have observed some really fantastic young people who are far more mature, accomplished, and responsible than I was at that age, so I have a whole lot of faith in today’s youth.</p>