panda55
Pinball Wizard
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2004
- Messages
- 178
- Reaction score
- 3
- Points
- 20
I feel truly sorry for today's youth.
My age group had it so good when we were younger.
Things have changed so much in the past 40 years and not all it was for the better, that's for sure.
And even here in Australia we now have all the problems of the world in our midst (only on a lessor scale than most, to be honest).
Take these few examples (and please feel free to agree, disagree and/or to add to the list).
THEN: When I was Nine I had a paper run(route). It was a good source of income, and kept me in enough money to play pinball , buy friends and have a good time outside of school. I used to do the factory run. I visited the factories just as they were closing, at some I just left the papers and a tin for the workers to leave their money in (and never came up short - ever!!!). This got me used to grown ups as they liked to stir up the 'kid' and pretty soon I was giving as good as I got. After the factories had closed for the day I'd stand by the roadside with a few signs up with that day's headlines and sell papers and mags to the passing motorists. I wouldn't go home till I'd sold out of papers. I'd do this for two very good reasons. One - it was a long walk back to the papershop (newsagency) and mostly uphill; and two - I'd get a free small packet of smokes or a girlie magazine for selling out!! Of course the best thing with the factory run was it was only Monday to Friday - weekends were mine.
NOW: Of course today the newsagent would be too frightened to use those types of inducements. Not only that but the last time I heard you had to be over thirteen to get a paper run (and that was over 10 years ago). A responsible parent wouldn't even consider letting their child of nine out on the streets talking to strangers every day with the whacko's around now. So the kids of today miss out on a good life experience (IMO).
=======================
THEN: There was no such thing as A.D.H.D. and other acronyms. There were certainly disruptive kids, but they were in a minority and usually kept in the lower grades so they wouldn't disrupt the mainstream classes. I was never in the lower grades so I don't really know what went on there, but I do know that the kids in those grades would still readily turn up for school every day, do some form of educational work, and we'd all socialise in the playground together without fear of being bashed, slashed or shot. And even though these kids were classed as the 'dummies' by the 'elite', they certainly weren't held up for ridicule (if you knew what was good for you :-} ) in any way. It was just another class in that particular grade.
NOW: A growing percentage of kids are on some form of drug to control them at school. My wife is a teacher of 25 years and teaches the 5 to 7 years olds mainly. She has had kids in Kindergarten swearing and cussing at other kids and teaching staff, belting up other kids in the playground and being totally disruptive in class to the extent if that child is away, the other kids mention how much fun the day was without 'so-and-so'. As the kids get older they can become more violent. More recently 'integration' of these students into mainstream classes was the norm. The idea was they would see how 'normal' kids behaved in the classroom situation and would eventually conform (within their limitations) to that standard. In reality all it did was make it almost impossible for the 'normal' kids to learn as much and in some cases turn them off school altogether, due to relentless disruptions or fear of physical violence. (Where do these boffins get their ideas from?)
=========================
THEN: Boys and their toys. Cars were a great form of entertainment and a time consuming passion amongst teenage boys. I couldn't afford a car when I was a kid (so I had motor scooters or bikes), but some of my mates did. The beauty of cars in those days was that they were so simple. Carburettors instead of fuel injection, no computer timing, just points and plugs. You could change the cam shaft (singular) to increase performance, modify the exhaust with extractors and 2" stainless exhaust pipes, put in solid lifters instead of hydraulic tappets, shave the head, increase the bore to get a standard car with a top speed of 85mph able to do 110mph. Of course being relatively poor we wouldn't waste money on anything as trivial as boosting the brakes to stop these rocket-sleds on wheels. Where would be the fun in that . Dragging from one stop light to another was considered a favoured past-time. We also would go to illegal drag meetings held at the brickyards in Sydney. (It is where most of the events took place for the 2000 Olympics and now known as Sydney Olympic Village ). These drag meets would be run very professionally and attendance was by word of mouth. "Brickies is on" were the words rev-heads loved to hear. From memory there weren't any deaths in my time - but a few spectacular accidents.
NOW: Most of the kids have got fancy wheels, farings and lights with booming sub-woofers pounding out some inane tribal music and thats it. Even the small 1.5ltr cars can do a 100mph now. But the kids don't get a chance to fiddle with them and tweak them, a skill sadly lost. They also don't get the comradery and sense of achievement that came with it.
=========================
THEN: Speaking of skills lost brings me to my next point. When I was a kid we used to play outside. A lot. Groups of kids in the street playing footy, cricket, war games, cowboys and indians etc. Not only was this good exercise, but also a great place to learn some life skills. There would be fights and arguements galore as one would expect with any group, like say a pinball forum for example (tehe, couldn't resist ). If you wanted to get your way then you needed to learn negotiating skills, bargaining strategies, trade-offs and other forms of resourcefulness. Even at school there would be sporting matches on, marble competitions, brandings etc. All of these were group activities. And all helped in learning basic conflict management and resolution.
NOW: You all know what's coming next. Bloody television, computer games and videos. Whilst I love playing around on the computer and watching TV, I do believe it has got to a point with a lot of youth where it is detrimental to their growth as a person. You don't get real life confilct resolution skills playing Warcraft 6 hours a day (or more). Could this be a factor behind the current alarming divorce rate in the world. We no longer have had those myriad of fights, squabbles and arguements when growing up to prepare us to live with an alien creature of the opposite sex (and their family's infulence on our life). At the first sign of disagreement, up go the defence shields and out come the lawyers. Some are lucky enough to learn the necessary skills quickly in the workplace or at College or Uni, but for others they never had a chance. Some are destined to be obnoxious know-alls that can't take criticism of any kind and others will be walked over by all and sundry.
=========================
THEN: Jobs. There used to be what were called process working jobs. These were mainly repetetive tasks makeing the same tihing day in - day out. It would send me nuts in a day. But for some people, it was all they could handle (or all they could get) due to physical, mental or lack of english reasons. Making nuts and bolts, winding electric motors, assembling goods on a prodution line. The pay wasn't good, but it was regular (and in Australia we have a minimum wage, which stops shonky operators to a degree). Most of these place had regular overtime available too which helped out a lot. My mum did this work for most of her life (she started working at 12yo) and my dad was a labourer (he started work at 13yo). Both were on minimum wage. But through good management and long hours they were able to buy a block of land and build a house, and take us (my brother and I) on camping holidays each Christmas, all without the need for government assistance. Thanks Mum and Dad for your sacrifices.
NOW: Process workers are no more. Now it's either automated or imported from some other country with cheaper labour. Where do all those poor buggers go for work now. Process workers and basic labouring jobs were about 14-15% of our workforce. All gone. But the people remain. There will always be the less fortunate ones - the 'not too bright', the ones with a disability or the refugees and immigrants struggling with the language. Now the live on the 'dole' and have a very poor outlook for the future. This is a multi-edged sword. They now have very little hope or self esteem compared to the process workers of old. They have little or no chance of getting a house or taking the kids on real holidays. They are no longer paying taxes and helping the country out. They no longer have a disposable income (as small as it was) to help out small business and add to the health of the economy, but the opposite, for now they are a drain on the economy through no fault of their own in most cases other than time has passed them by. With all this extra time it is easy to get a) into depression, b) into drugs or alcohol abuse, c) mental and/or physical abuse, d) crime, e) all of the above. This becomes more and more of a problem taking up more and more resources and taking it's toll on families and communities alike.
My rant is now at a close for the time being. Please comment. I would be interested in your thoughts as I may just be getting old and cranky.
My age group had it so good when we were younger.
Things have changed so much in the past 40 years and not all it was for the better, that's for sure.
And even here in Australia we now have all the problems of the world in our midst (only on a lessor scale than most, to be honest).
Take these few examples (and please feel free to agree, disagree and/or to add to the list).
THEN: When I was Nine I had a paper run(route). It was a good source of income, and kept me in enough money to play pinball , buy friends and have a good time outside of school. I used to do the factory run. I visited the factories just as they were closing, at some I just left the papers and a tin for the workers to leave their money in (and never came up short - ever!!!). This got me used to grown ups as they liked to stir up the 'kid' and pretty soon I was giving as good as I got. After the factories had closed for the day I'd stand by the roadside with a few signs up with that day's headlines and sell papers and mags to the passing motorists. I wouldn't go home till I'd sold out of papers. I'd do this for two very good reasons. One - it was a long walk back to the papershop (newsagency) and mostly uphill; and two - I'd get a free small packet of smokes or a girlie magazine for selling out!! Of course the best thing with the factory run was it was only Monday to Friday - weekends were mine.
NOW: Of course today the newsagent would be too frightened to use those types of inducements. Not only that but the last time I heard you had to be over thirteen to get a paper run (and that was over 10 years ago). A responsible parent wouldn't even consider letting their child of nine out on the streets talking to strangers every day with the whacko's around now. So the kids of today miss out on a good life experience (IMO).
=======================
THEN: There was no such thing as A.D.H.D. and other acronyms. There were certainly disruptive kids, but they were in a minority and usually kept in the lower grades so they wouldn't disrupt the mainstream classes. I was never in the lower grades so I don't really know what went on there, but I do know that the kids in those grades would still readily turn up for school every day, do some form of educational work, and we'd all socialise in the playground together without fear of being bashed, slashed or shot. And even though these kids were classed as the 'dummies' by the 'elite', they certainly weren't held up for ridicule (if you knew what was good for you :-} ) in any way. It was just another class in that particular grade.
NOW: A growing percentage of kids are on some form of drug to control them at school. My wife is a teacher of 25 years and teaches the 5 to 7 years olds mainly. She has had kids in Kindergarten swearing and cussing at other kids and teaching staff, belting up other kids in the playground and being totally disruptive in class to the extent if that child is away, the other kids mention how much fun the day was without 'so-and-so'. As the kids get older they can become more violent. More recently 'integration' of these students into mainstream classes was the norm. The idea was they would see how 'normal' kids behaved in the classroom situation and would eventually conform (within their limitations) to that standard. In reality all it did was make it almost impossible for the 'normal' kids to learn as much and in some cases turn them off school altogether, due to relentless disruptions or fear of physical violence. (Where do these boffins get their ideas from?)
=========================
THEN: Boys and their toys. Cars were a great form of entertainment and a time consuming passion amongst teenage boys. I couldn't afford a car when I was a kid (so I had motor scooters or bikes), but some of my mates did. The beauty of cars in those days was that they were so simple. Carburettors instead of fuel injection, no computer timing, just points and plugs. You could change the cam shaft (singular) to increase performance, modify the exhaust with extractors and 2" stainless exhaust pipes, put in solid lifters instead of hydraulic tappets, shave the head, increase the bore to get a standard car with a top speed of 85mph able to do 110mph. Of course being relatively poor we wouldn't waste money on anything as trivial as boosting the brakes to stop these rocket-sleds on wheels. Where would be the fun in that . Dragging from one stop light to another was considered a favoured past-time. We also would go to illegal drag meetings held at the brickyards in Sydney. (It is where most of the events took place for the 2000 Olympics and now known as Sydney Olympic Village ). These drag meets would be run very professionally and attendance was by word of mouth. "Brickies is on" were the words rev-heads loved to hear. From memory there weren't any deaths in my time - but a few spectacular accidents.
NOW: Most of the kids have got fancy wheels, farings and lights with booming sub-woofers pounding out some inane tribal music and thats it. Even the small 1.5ltr cars can do a 100mph now. But the kids don't get a chance to fiddle with them and tweak them, a skill sadly lost. They also don't get the comradery and sense of achievement that came with it.
=========================
THEN: Speaking of skills lost brings me to my next point. When I was a kid we used to play outside. A lot. Groups of kids in the street playing footy, cricket, war games, cowboys and indians etc. Not only was this good exercise, but also a great place to learn some life skills. There would be fights and arguements galore as one would expect with any group, like say a pinball forum for example (tehe, couldn't resist ). If you wanted to get your way then you needed to learn negotiating skills, bargaining strategies, trade-offs and other forms of resourcefulness. Even at school there would be sporting matches on, marble competitions, brandings etc. All of these were group activities. And all helped in learning basic conflict management and resolution.
NOW: You all know what's coming next. Bloody television, computer games and videos. Whilst I love playing around on the computer and watching TV, I do believe it has got to a point with a lot of youth where it is detrimental to their growth as a person. You don't get real life confilct resolution skills playing Warcraft 6 hours a day (or more). Could this be a factor behind the current alarming divorce rate in the world. We no longer have had those myriad of fights, squabbles and arguements when growing up to prepare us to live with an alien creature of the opposite sex (and their family's infulence on our life). At the first sign of disagreement, up go the defence shields and out come the lawyers. Some are lucky enough to learn the necessary skills quickly in the workplace or at College or Uni, but for others they never had a chance. Some are destined to be obnoxious know-alls that can't take criticism of any kind and others will be walked over by all and sundry.
=========================
THEN: Jobs. There used to be what were called process working jobs. These were mainly repetetive tasks makeing the same tihing day in - day out. It would send me nuts in a day. But for some people, it was all they could handle (or all they could get) due to physical, mental or lack of english reasons. Making nuts and bolts, winding electric motors, assembling goods on a prodution line. The pay wasn't good, but it was regular (and in Australia we have a minimum wage, which stops shonky operators to a degree). Most of these place had regular overtime available too which helped out a lot. My mum did this work for most of her life (she started working at 12yo) and my dad was a labourer (he started work at 13yo). Both were on minimum wage. But through good management and long hours they were able to buy a block of land and build a house, and take us (my brother and I) on camping holidays each Christmas, all without the need for government assistance. Thanks Mum and Dad for your sacrifices.
NOW: Process workers are no more. Now it's either automated or imported from some other country with cheaper labour. Where do all those poor buggers go for work now. Process workers and basic labouring jobs were about 14-15% of our workforce. All gone. But the people remain. There will always be the less fortunate ones - the 'not too bright', the ones with a disability or the refugees and immigrants struggling with the language. Now the live on the 'dole' and have a very poor outlook for the future. This is a multi-edged sword. They now have very little hope or self esteem compared to the process workers of old. They have little or no chance of getting a house or taking the kids on real holidays. They are no longer paying taxes and helping the country out. They no longer have a disposable income (as small as it was) to help out small business and add to the health of the economy, but the opposite, for now they are a drain on the economy through no fault of their own in most cases other than time has passed them by. With all this extra time it is easy to get a) into depression, b) into drugs or alcohol abuse, c) mental and/or physical abuse, d) crime, e) all of the above. This becomes more and more of a problem taking up more and more resources and taking it's toll on families and communities alike.
My rant is now at a close for the time being. Please comment. I would be interested in your thoughts as I may just be getting old and cranky.