Kids today, eh? This sums them up

[CormoranStrike]

“Children; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.

“They no longer rise when elders enter the room, they contradict their parents and tyrannize their teachers. Children are now tyrants.“

Can you guess who wrote this and when?

It was Socrates, approximately 400 years BC!

It just goes to show you that every generation reckons “young people today” are out of control and on a path to ruin, when really they are just fine, generally, and always have been.

And?

And I found the quote and liked it, so I thought I would share it.

I agree with you OP! I've heard a similar quote from Shakespeare's time. Older people have always despaired of them youth of today'!

It’s a great quote OP. Generations have been saying exactly the same about the ‘youth of today’, and we know our children will be saying the same about the next generation.

It's such a pointless "gotcha", designed to make us feel better that the younger generation today actually IS hugely damaged and disadvantaged by the world we've created. No other generation has been online since birth, with all the pressures that creates. Mental health is at an all time low. It's not all fun and breezy.

I like this. Shows that life is all about perspective.

@GoshHashana

It's such a pointless "gotcha", designed to make us feel better that the younger generation today actually IS hugely damaged and disadvantaged by the world we've created. No other generation has been online since birth, with all the pressures that creates. Mental health is at an all time low. It's not all fun and breezy.

Are you meaning I am making some pointless “gotcha” point, based on sharing a quote that is thousands of years old which I found mildly amusing?

Yes, no other generation has been online since birth.

I’m from the generation that had access to TV pretty much 24 hours a day from birth.

My mum had radio available from birth, and so on.

The point I was making is that society‘s perceptions really haven’t changed.

I was not making an assessment on the challenges some kids undoubtedly have, but mental health problems have always been with us.

And, challenging as society is for today’s kids, it’s been plenty challenging for those before them.

I think we are much more aware, reactive, open and compassionate about mental health, and record stats on it, rather than in being a particular epidemic of this generation, in my opinion.

And the adults will not be the first thinking that they are the only ones to think this!

I read a story today about young primary school age children beating up party entertainers who had come dressed as Paw Patrol. Riot police were called.

Does Socrates have anything to say about that?

Can you find a source for Socrates saying this? I think it's made up.

@MusterMark

Can you find a source for Socrates saying this? I think it's made up.

Really? My immediate source was an article in the Guardian, but I have seen it referenced elsewhere.

@MusterMark

Can you find a source for Socrates saying this? I think it's made up.

I just had a quick search and it appears you are right.

@Lumene

I read a story today about young primary school age children beating up party entertainers who had come dressed as Paw Patrol. Riot police were called.

Does Socrates have anything to say about that?

He says he prefers Teletubbies to Paw Patrol.

But he's right, isn't he? Young people are a pain in the hole. I was, when I was young. I didn't think I was - but I was.

He says he prefers Teletubbies to Paw Patrol.

And we can’t understand the words of modern music that they like.........

There’s nothing wrong with youngsters today. They are doing wonderful things and being a credit to their generation. We have all been young. Give them a break.

I remember learning that exact quote in a first year of uni polticial philosophy unit! Pretty sure it's generally attributed to Socrates.

There's good and bad bits of being born in every era...as a woman born in Europe in the late 20th century I had an education, freedom of though and religion, married who I chose, statistically safe births, and have a good chance of making it to 90 in decent health (based on older relatives).

Or was it Plato?? Having a mind blank now But I definitely remember learning it in first year.

I'm pretty sure Socrates didn't write anything himself - he spoke and various people wrote down his words sometimes attributing them to him and sometimes not. It would probably be Plato who actually wrote it.

I love it. Every generation that ages seems to think they were the best over and moan about younger ones. My generation were on the receiving end of this, and now I see them regularly giving it back (usually about social media, on Facebook, irony!) It’s just a way of accepting our own ageing. Riot police being called to a party of kids isn’t anymore indicative of the young generation, than some of the EDL thugs are of all white men in their 50’s, but it makes a handy headline to tutt and roll your eyes at. You get arseholes in every generation. Young people today do amazing things with not much resources, they work virtually for free for years to get into careers, the are young carers, but you don’t hear anything about that.

And I found the quote and liked it, so I thought I would share it.

Well, that served you right, didn't it? Should have put lighthearted in neon colours !

@Deathraystare

And I found the quote and liked it, so I thought I would share it.

Well, that served you right, didn't it? Should have put lighthearted in neon colours !

And smiley faces