A Young Man's Art

Almost every day, I'm reminded how many in my generation are "falling through the cracks" when it comes to respect, caring, empathy or civility.

These character attributes have all but vanished. Look around you. As a high school senior, I see it. A large number of local teenagers drink beer and gaze at pornography. They have easy access to both.

Many also swear constantly among themselves, and often in public. Comedy isn't funny to them unless it's vulgar or crude. Movies have no appeal unless they're filled with violence, sex or somebody being humiliated or victimized.

Check out instant messages and emails - proper grammar and spelling? Forget it! I keep asking myself who is

to blame for their behavior? The kids themselves? The parents? Teachers? Peer pressure? Or, is the world just changing?

I witnessed this rudeness again at last Friday's football game in Johnsonburg. I always thought when a football player was injured, it was common courtesy to keep quiet. All around me, my fellow band members kept gabbing.

To top it off, a couple of girls spilled a soft drink on another student's jacket. They just sat there, defensive and dumbfounded when they were confronted by the victim.

The trend seems to be getting worse in just the past few years. Underclassmen at the school show less respect than those in my age group.

The solution begins in the home. Parents need to take their jobs more seriously and we all need to bear in mind the golden rule: "Whatsoever ye would that men do unto you, do you even so unto them." (Matthew 7:12).

Jesus said it. So, let's "get 'er done" and reshape the world.