Teens with zero desire to travel

[LyricalBoudicca]

Bit concerned that my 2 teens never express a desire to travel ever (NB they go abroad with me frequently but that’s always been down to me). They remind me of my grandparents who hardly ever left the county they grew up in which was probably due to lack of financial means. If I die I can see them perfectly content never to initiate a holiday. Has anyone else got teens like this? Or do mine have an unusual lack of curiosity?

I had no interest in travelling at all in my younger years.
When i hit my 30s I was a different person and wanted to travel.
Been all over the globe im almost 40 and no plans to stop.

The travel industry is destroying the world. So, it’s fine. Get them to read mor3 books if you want them to broaden their minds.

When I was young, many of the people who went “travelling” were actually partying in Australia and Thailand etc. Perhaps the general downturn in drinking alcohol amongst younger people is a partial explanation?

Also, plenty of people years ago would travel extensively just to show off. Even though Instagram wasn’t around, it was definitely something that people mentioned as a badge of honour. Nowadays, queuing up to have your photo taken in front of a famous monument doesn’t seem particularly enriching to me. And the same people won’t even visit their local church or museum, and have no idea of the vast array of historical buildings all over the UK.

I have visited lots of places, but am more likely to prioritise comfort now. Same with my DC - they would choose 2 nights in a 5 star hotel over a longer trip exploring and staying in hostels. That said, at school their classmates are from all over the world so they probably get more interaction with people from other cultures from staying at home.

I’ve got one of each. One couldn’t wait to go to uni, travels as much as she can with me, friends or boyfriend, never wants to move back. Other is applying to local uni, hates going on holiday and will probably need forcibly removing to his own home one day 😂
But they’re both happy.

They are still young - they may change their minds.

Or maybe take the words of Seneca.

“Are you surprised, as if it were a novelty, that after such long travel and so many changes of scene you have not been able to shake off the gloom and heaviness of your mind? You need a change of soul rather than a change of climate.” — Seneca

I never had any desire to travel as a teen. I went on holidays but i certainly never had the travel bug. A year out travelling certainly wasn't on my agenda. I was far more comfortable at home (and by that I mean in my home country)
Travelling is only recently something that I feel I would like to do - and I'm 51. I really don't think that its something you should be focusing on.

We have travelled to the US and Europe .I love the UK and think I must be the only one who dislikes long plane journeys .foreign food(yes I know I know!)and being in hot countries /culture shock etc. My DD hates flying .DS has travelled widely .I am looking forward to a little break in Kent to "do" NT properties in that area.I do wonder if the cost, and also the "real life"experiences which dont always match up to the SM idealised version. may put young people off though

I wasnt interested when I was younger, but once I got marriage, career and money under a bit more control, I changed my mind. Also the way the world is and has been for the last few years, I dont really blame them. Give them time, maybe they will change their minds.

Honestly it’s probably because at the moment they are “ just going on holiday with their parents “
the adventure bug will kick in, once you are not needed and they go off on their own or with friends

Not in every case. It’s not like deciding whether or not to travel is a lifelong commitment. They may never go on holiday again - on the list of things to worry about with teens, that has to be fairly low down…

Exactly. I’ve been on the Maid of the Mist and my main memory is of the tackiness of Nisgara Falls. It was pretty, but so are numerous places in the UK and I would rate them higher than many overseas experiences.

You take them away regularly. So why should they demonstrate any desire for travel? They are already doing it!

A lot of people don't know the difference.

My eldest has never been interested in travelling Think the last time she went abroad was 20 years ago at 15. It doesn't seem to bother her . Her eldest child goes away with her father so not missed out

My teens are also not very interested in travel. I was but grew up in the 90s and I think that was peak travelling time. The world has become a lot more homogenous since then. And it’s expensive.

they are less sheltered than I was with the internet and tv etc. food is more varied here etc.

im not sure it matters!

They’ll feel different when they are in their 20’s. Do they have many friends?

Or maybe they won’t. Point is that it’s not something to be concerned about, esp as they aren’t even old enough to go on their own.

Maybe they won't. I didn't. Travelling isn't a required life activity.

As a teen, I always wanted to stay at home when my parents wanted a family holiday. As an adult, able to do it without the family, I must have been to 20 different countries, living in a few too. It's probably age and family holidays, rather than travel per se.

Maybe not. I mean who actually cares about these things. My DD most likely won’t travel she’s a home bird. It has never entered my mind as a problem.