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Original poster

to think that this current batch of 18 year olds are REALLY messed up?

329 replies

WishIMite · 24/05/2024 09:06

I try not to generalise about groups of people, but I can't help but think, looking at my children who span various ages, that the current batch of 18 year-olds are more of a mess than the other age groups.

So much drug-taking, unable to make eye contact, rudeness (which I think is social ineptness) and lack of socialising together. Just a total lack of social skills and resilience really. They don't even seem to have proper friendship groups and alliances.

Can't help but wonder if lockdown hit them at a really crucial age.

Do other parents of 18 yo wonder the same, or is it just that my 18 yo and friends are particularly shit?

OP posts:
Original poster
WishIMite · 24/05/2024 09:20

I'm glad your bunch seem ok @AngelsWithSilverWings - the outside lifestyle they have sounds very wholesome!

OP posts:
Dotjones · 24/05/2024 09:19

I can't help but think, looking at my children who span various ages, that the current batch of 18 year-olds are more of a mess than the other age groups.

Well yeah, at any given point in time the then 18 year-old group will probably be more messed up than those older or younger. Younger kids have less easy access to drugs, alcohol and casual sex. Older people are more experienced with these things and can handle them a bit better. At 18 you have easy access but take things to excess. Also in the older group, they've passed through the 18yo region and the worst of their "cohort" will have succumbed to the lifestyle.

Original poster
WishIMite · 24/05/2024 09:18

Weed seems to be prolific among the 18 yos I see. Just totally normalised. I've not come across that before.

OP posts:
AngelsWithSilverWings · 24/05/2024 09:14

My 18 year old DS seems ok and his friends are fine. They are polite , say please and thank you and make eye contact.

He tells me there are some who smoke a bit too much weed - DS has tried it but it made him really sick so it put him off. He goes out to the pub most Fridays with a group of mates and if it's sunny they meet at the beach and go paddle boarding or have a bbq.

They hang out as a mix of boys and girls too - he seems to have lots of girl mates and the occasional girlfriend.

Most of his friends have a job ( DS not working at the moment to concentrate on A levels but he did two years of lifeguarding) Once A levels are over he is hoping to do some lifeguarding jobs with an agency he's signed to.

DS still has some growing up to do but I'm hoping that if he goes to Uni he will mature quickly enough.