Cellphones, entitlement mentality not good for teens

Our society as a whole has a huge stake in the character development and education of its children. Before kids go back to school, here are some things parents and older students need to be cognizant of.

“CBS This Morning” recently had psychologist Lisa Damour on. She reported a new study shows 50 percent of teens report they feel addicted to their cellphones. The Journal of Child Development reported nighttime cellphone use can produce anxiety, depression and lower self-esteem in teens. This is the first study that shows a direct link between cellphone use and mental health. The report also shows in the past couple of decades teen anxiety and depression have risen over 70 percent, leading to emotional fragility and acting out. Damour suggests teens need to be engaged more in working, learning and growing, interacting with real human beings, and involving themselves in physical activity.

Since the 1980s there has been a rise in the attitude of entitlement, which increases hostility and conflicts. Kids demand, argue their opinions, and are unwilling to accept no for an answer. They are rude, belligerent and spew vulgar and profane language when they don’t get what they want. Some suggest kids act this way because they demonstrate these same attitudes and behaviors in the home.

An elementary school in Portugal hung a poster that went viral. On the poster was stated, “Dear parents, we would like to remind you that magic words such as hello, please, you’re welcome, I’m sorry, and thank you, all begin to be learned at home. It’s also at home that children learn to be honest, to be on time, diligent, show friends their sympathy, as well as show utmost respect for their elders and all teachers. Home is where they learn to be clean and how/where to properly dispose of garbage. Home is also where they learn to be organized, to take good care of their belongings. Here at school, on the other hand, we teach language, math, history, geography, physics, sciences, and physical education. We only reinforce the education that children receive at home from their parents.”

Tim Elmore of Growing Leaders shared on his blog a New York- based firm met with a group of recent college graduates to talk about their careers. During the conversation, the potential employer asked the graduates this question: “What’s the one word human resource executives’ use more than any other to describe the mindset of your generation? It begins with an ‘E.’” The 20-somethings said entrepreneurial. Some thought it was energetic, while others felt it was exciting or entertaining. None of the candidates guessed the correct answer: Entitled.

Blogger and author Kristen Welch posted a simple and clear list of five signs of entitlement: I want it now, I don’t want to work for it, I don’t have to clean up my mess, I want it because everyone else has it, and I expect you to fix all my problems.

These issues are a reality and parents and society must address them rather than enable them. TERRY STEWART Springdale