This is so fucking shit for young people

[ssd]

Yeah i know its shit for everyone before you pounce on me

But imagine being around 20 just now...no pubs, no nightclubs, no jobs around, no buzz in your town centre, no excuse to dress up in something new, or planning your latest night out, meeting your pals and all the excitement of the night ahead.

Its just so fucking shite.

I got the train home tonight from work, Glasgow city centre is a ghost town. Places that were always busy boarded up, of course everything except like of newsagents and tesco's shut. Its Friday night. It was always jumping when i was young, absolutely jumping. It was dead. On the train was a bunch if young boys, playing music a bit too loud, all singing along....going home from the city centre at 6pm!!!!. I could have cried watching them all, a nice sunny evening and the only place they are heading was back to mum and dads, or a local park maybe, i dont know. They were about 18, casual dressed, haircuts, all wanting a good time with their pals and probably hoping to meet a partner if they were single.

Where is the life for these kids???

This has gone on long enough. I dont care if i never see inside a pub again. I've had a brilliant social life at that age. Now they have fuck all.

Its too much.

If I were a 20 year old student I'd have been breaking the rules left, right and centre. Utterly shot for them missing out on all the fun things about young adulthood!

@ssd

Yeah i know its shit for everyone before you pounce on me

But imagine being around 20 just now...no pubs, no nightclubs, no jobs around, no buzz in your town centre, no excuse to dress up in something new, or planning your latest night out, meeting your pals and all the excitement of the night ahead.

Its just so fucking shite.

I got the train home tonight from work, Glasgow city centre is a ghost town. Places that were always busy boarded up, of course everything except like of newsagents and tesco's shut. Its Friday night. It was always jumping when i was young, absolutely jumping. It was dead. On the train was a bunch if young boys, playing music a bit too loud, all singing along....going home from the city centre at 6pm!!!!. I could have cried watching them all, a nice sunny evening and the only place they are heading was back to mum and dads, or a local park maybe, i dont know. They were about 18, casual dressed, haircuts, all wanting a good time with their pals and probably hoping to meet a partner if they were single.

Where is the life for these kids???

This has gone on long enough. I dont care if i never see inside a pub again. I've had a brilliant social life at that age. Now they have fuck all.

Its too much.

Glasgow city centre is grim just too. I was in the other day for a hair cut and it's just full of neds shouting at each other and rough people hanging about in groups. The place was so scruffy and sad. I hope it recovers but it's hard to imagine. Sorry, I know I sound like an insufferable snob, but it just makes me sad.)

@Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum

The poor kids that should be at university now☹

My neighbor's son has really struggled doing his university course from home. Not to mention them paying for digs on Leeds and him spending his first year at home in London.

My daughter ‘graduated’ last year- as an artist- no final show, no graduation- no cap and gown. No jobs. Devastated.

I agree completely, @ssd.

One thing this has taught me is that we should never take anything for granted. Nothing is a given.

And you're very lucky that you didn't need to learn that lesson at a young age, that you got to live your life blissfully ignorant until this point. I'm guessing.

I've said before, but this is the first time in my life I'm happy to be middle aged.

Don't get me wrong, the past year has been miserable for me too. But at least I've had the chance to travel, go to uni on an actual campus as opposed to a computer screen, have lots of life experience and so on. What should be a fun and memorable time of life for young people is now just so drab and joyless.

@CatRamsey

Not all people in their 20s want to be going out and going to clubs

But those who don't want to go out for dinner, or for coffee, or to the cinema, or to the gym, or even just to sit in a library.

I’m sick to death of hearing it’s worse for the elderly.

That elderly person who had a normal early adulthood.

Oh do fuck off.

@Talkwhilstyouwalk

If I were a 20 year old student I'd have been breaking the rules left, right and centre. Utterly shot for them missing out on all the fun things about young adulthood!

I would be too. It actually pisses me off to hear people my age (50) slagging off the kids - when they would have done exactly the same at that age

I think the way Universities have behaved is scandalous

Taking the money, offering very very poor online learning only. No effort has been made AT ALL to offer anything extra, some social distanced/outdoor/whatever learning.

They just took the easy route. Zero concern for their students or their students’ learning

It’s just unbelievable and is far from over

Young people will take the lead from those people around them (especially parents). If those people are complaining about how shit everything is then they will likely also complain and wallow in self pity.

Not all young people are as obsessed with all the pubbing/clubbing/shopping stuff. Some recent research suggested as many as 25% of young people had enjoyed the 'pause' away from relentless socialising since many of them find it difficult anyway/ makes them anxious (even before covid).

Among my DC and their friends I really don't see any of this "woe is me, everything is shit" attitude. They're all just shrugging it off and focusing on what they can do, rather than complaining about what they can't. DS1 says that unless you're a scientist/medic etc the ranting about lack of face-to-face time at uni is a bit irrelevant anyway, as some courses only have about 8 contact hours a week anyway and many people never bothered turning up for those before the pandemic.

I think it's our role and responsibility as parents to help our young people steer a course through this and try to help them to build resiliance and come out the other side as unscathed as possible.

Are you for real??? I've got a 16 year old struggling with stress and anxiety and tearful most days over his assessments

Stress free - fuck off

That’s on you then. All the assessments are down graded to allow for Covid.
And everyone knows 20/21 and 22 grades aren’t going to be looked at the same way for colleges and uni’s and future employment.

@IcedPurple

I've said before, but this is the first time in my life I'm happy to be middle aged.

Don't get me wrong, the past year has been miserable for me too. But at least I've had the chance to travel, go to uni on an actual campus as opposed to a computer screen, have lots of life experience and so on. What should be a fun and memorable time of life for young people is now just so drab and joyless.

I so so agree with this. Exactly how I feel.

@marshyindigo

One thing this has taught me is that we should never take anything for granted. Nothing is a given.

And you're very lucky that you didn't need to learn that lesson at a young age, that you got to live your life blissfully ignorant until this point. I'm guessing.

No idea why you think that? Although I guess you'll jump to conclusions to make a point.

@maddiemookins16mum

Nobody is being unreasonable but I work with 3 ‘young uns’, all under 23 (I’m 56). They’re all saving their money, working hard, 2 live with their partners, the other his parents (and a newly acquired dog), one has lost 2 stone as she took up walking, the other gave up smoking. They have been meeting up with the odd pal (or two/ three probably), they’re now going shopping, to the pub (garden) tomorrow. I totally accept it’s been tough, but many, many young people have coped very well and certainly don’t complain about this being a miserable time for them. There is always so much doom and gloom on here, it becomes a pityfest.

Different seeing folk at work as opposed to actually living with them. They are all getting on with it obviously. Theres no fucking choice. If your understanding of how this is for them is only working with 3 'young uns' Really you have no clue.

@Thewinterofdiscontent

Are you for real??? I've got a 16 year old struggling with stress and anxiety and tearful most days over his assessments

Stress free - fuck off

That’s on you then. All the assessments are down graded to allow for Covid.
And everyone knows 20/21 and 22 grades aren’t going to be looked at the same way for colleges and uni’s and future employment.

On me - how fucking dare you

I would be pissed right off if I was 18-24 right now however some of these comments we either chose to save the elderly or the young?

No we chose to protect those vulnerable. I have missed loved ones during this pandemic.I would never wish a lockdown funeral on anyone knowing someone you love is dying alone.

Not been easy for anyone. No ones saying that we don't feel for them. But no ones life is more important than the other .

@Whippet

Young people will take the lead from those people around them (especially parents). If those people are complaining about how shit everything is then they will likely also complain and wallow in self pity.

Not all young people are as obsessed with all the pubbing/clubbing/shopping stuff. Some recent research suggested as many as 25% of young people had enjoyed the 'pause' away from relentless socialising since many of them find it difficult anyway/ makes them anxious (even before covid).

Among my DC and their friends I really don't see any of this "woe is me, everything is shit" attitude. They're all just shrugging it off and focusing on what they can do, rather than complaining about what they can't. DS1 says that unless you're a scientist/medic etc the ranting about lack of face-to-face time at uni is a bit irrelevant anyway, as some courses only have about 8 contact hours a week anyway and many people never bothered turning up for those before the pandemic.

I think it's our role and responsibility as parents to help our young people steer a course through this and try to help them to build resiliance and come out the other side as unscathed as possible.

You can do a lot and help them but still think it’s a big deal privately, without making it worse for them.

No idea why you think that? Although I guess you'll jump to conclusions to make a point.

It wasn't a difficult jump to make. But I've just searched your username and literally the first post that comes up is you saying you're 43, so.......

@Malteser71

I’m sick to death of hearing it’s worse for the elderly.

That elderly person who had a normal early adulthood.

Oh do fuck off.

Normal early adulthood What, the partying and having fun referred to on this thread?

For many they would've been out working from 15/16. Then married with kids by early 20s. Hardly anyone went to university.
Many of our current elderly were born before the NHS and the welfare state. Life was tough.

This is their last years. They can never get this the time back. If people think the elderly have "lived their life" then they should be offered assisted suicide - because spending the last time you've got left in lockdowns and under restrictions and facing a horrible way of dying is no way to finish your days.

Yes it's horrible and shit for young people but it's arguably worse for the elderly.

@marshyindigo

No idea why you think that? Although I guess you'll jump to conclusions to make a point.

It wasn't a difficult jump to make. But I've just searched your username and literally the first post that comes up is you saying you're 43, so.......

Oh I'm 43. I do apologise.

But those who don't want to go out for dinner, or for coffee, or to the cinema, or to the gym, or even just to sit in a library

Exactly, it’s not just about drinking and partying; it’s the complete lack of options for young people and, even though things are now slowly opening, the absence of any spontaneity whatsoever. You can’t even get a study space at my local library without booking a week or more in advance.

I think we need to be careful to compare the war years to now. The war years for all there terror also gave an amount of freedom that was hitherto unknown. Dancing clubs came to the fore during the war and people, women especially were able to go out and enjoy themselves in a way that was previously unbecoming. I know this doesn't sit well with those that like to imagine the war years as constant drudgery and fear but it is the truth

Yanbu and this is the tip of a massive iceberg.

All those jobs lost, companies closing office buildings because they've decided WFM works and they can save money will mainly affect the low. From shops, restaurants and cafes losing passing trade to the cleaners, admin staff, security guards and transport staff who rely on the money commuters bring in.

So those who are already at the bottom of the ladder will be kicked the most. It's absolutely terrifying.