Out of the mouths of babes: clarity of youthful vision

HASN’T it always been the charm of children to tell things the way they see it with point blank precision, like ‘why are you old?’, ‘why are you bald?’; ‘you’re fat’, ‘you’re wrinkly’?

We forgive their innocence – sometimes.

That clarity of youthful vision is the same that inspires each generation to want – and sometimes demand – a different path to their parents’ and grandparents’.

It’s a Catch 22.

On one hand we want them, encourage them, teach them to be critical thinkers so they don’t grow up naïve and gullible, but on the flipside we assume they know nothing and certainly not more than their elders.

The thing is kids are not as naïve and gullible as children used to be 200 years ago, and certainly not as trusting. They know all too well how dire the vices of some adults can be, especially those in positions of trust – just listen/watch the news.

Today, if they have a question, they have instant access to world-leading scientific papers, they can Tweet a social commentator half way around the world – and get a reply. They can share their views with other youth globally, and start a movement, change society – challenge the status quo, like never before.

Tomorrow, Friday, November 30, School Strike for Climate Action is the epitome of this phenomenon.

Their official line is this: “We are striking from school to tell our politicians to take our futures seriously and treat climate change for what it is – a crisis. They can show us that they care by taking urgent action to move Australia beyond fossil fuel projects (e.g. #Stopadani’s mega coal mine) and get the job done of moving us to 100 per cent renewable energy for all.”

Tough gig for politicians of the now and the future. These little future voters know what they want.

The United Nations and the world’s leading scientific minds have been spelling out since 1981 that global warming is a crisis; this article is not about that, but activism by children in Dubbo.

Interesting choice of word, ‘activism’. It comes with a sense of danger, wrong doing and threat. It’s another Catch 22. Aren’t we constantly telling our children that if you have a problem, talk to someone about it, get help, don’t lose hope over something alone: just find a friend or someone you can trust, and talk?

How hopeful do we think kids are when it comes to their future?

Tomorrow’s day of action suggests they’re worried around the world.

Who can they trust will protect them?