As a retired high school teacher, I believe to give up on our youth is to give up on our future.
This is why I rarely watch the six o’clock news, where the dregs of our youth are paraded like trophies every night. Although their crimes are heinous and horrific, this is shabby entertainment.
Since COVID, our youth have struggled. Is exhibiting their worst every night the support we offer?
This parade of young miscreants has replaced the parade of dodgy plumbers that were pursued pre-COVID for a grab in the 6 o’clock horror movie.
So, what are the other 3.2 million Australian teenagers doing, other than annoying their parents, while the very few are revelling in this fame?
Recently we accommodated the almost 16-year-old granddaughter overnight. For entertainment we decided on roller skating. We attended the Saturday night session. I was apprehensive: who attends night sessions at roller skating venues? I imagined the worst: violence, drinking, vaping.
When we arrived, I had to reassess my prejudices. I rediscovered a world I had not visited since my own children were skating in the 80s: the world of well organised, disciplined skating rinks.
A happy, friendly staff; music, games, a small practice rink. I loved it. But most of all I loved watching the mass of teenagers, children, 20s, 30s, 40s and yes, seniors, in an atmosphere of total enjoyment.
After a few minutes, Septuagenarian grandad rediscovered lost skills, joined in on the disco-lit floor, tried a feet cross-over, and promptly fell down, laughing and grinning.
I wondered if at our next health-care check-up, will falling while roller skating be counted as a problem with balance? But I also witnessed a miracle.
When the teenager was ready to leave, grandad said, “I was just getting back into this,” so in a reversal of roles, the teenager responded, “well, we don’t have to go. I’m happy to stay until grandad’s ready.”
Last year we joined our baby grandchild and her parents weekly on a walk around their neighbourhood about 6pm. We met families out with and without dogs.
The climax of our stroll was to pass an oval full of kids and teenagers practising their sport, supervised by parents, teachers and coaches. There was much noise and laughter and energy.
At my son’s graduation, General Peter Cosgrove mused to the audience that we see these students as layabouts and wonder what will become of them. Then we see them today at graduation and we know the future’s in good hands.
After having my lounge full of ragged students for some years, we were suddenly waving them off at the airport to jobs in southern cities or overseas. And I knew the future was in good hands.
This is youth through my lens, certainly not the lens of the 6 o’clock news.
Now, where have those dodgy plumbers gone, anyway?
