Another Curmudgeon on the Youth Culture
In the book of Proverbs, a father tells his son there are two females vying for his attention: Woman Wisdom and Lady Folly (see Proverbs 9). It is somewhat like the old Dating Game Show with just two contestants. Wed yourself to the first, he tells him through those first nine chapters, and you will have understanding, favor with God and man, a crown upon your head, length of life, a satisfying wife, and peace of days. Join yourself to the latter and immaturity, ridicule and heartache, ruin, adultery, a plundered home, and a shortened life will be your reward. Sure seems these days many are picking Contestant #2.
Jonah Goldberg, editor of [National Review Online](http://www.nationalreview.com/), in [an interview](http://dailycaller.com/2012/05/12/jonah-goldberg-young-people-are-so-frickin-stupid-video/) gave what one has called a "[curmudgeonly rant](http://hotair.com/archives/2012/05/12/video-get-off-of-jonah-goldbergs-lawn-you-darned-kids/)" about the youth culture (hence this post's title). It's a little strong, but it is rather refreshing to hear someone say things such as "we are all born idiots" and "the fact that young people think socialism is better than capitalism is a result of what sociologists call 'their stupidity.'"<!--more-->
I recently saw a young man with those over-sized saggy jeans drooped so low he was exposing his whole backside. In order to walk he had to hold them up with something, I guess. So he did so by using his belt, looped around the pants, with the end held right out in front of his waist. I'm sure this irony, along with the fact that as he shuffled along he looked exactly like a little boy pretending to ride a horse, never dawned on him.
The average 18 year-old cannot wait to leave home and go to college. Four or five years later, he graduates with [an average debt](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/03/average-student-debt-2525_n_1073335.html) of over $25,000. Guess where he goes? [Back home](http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/05/10/survey-85-of-new-college-grads-moving-back-in-with-mom-and-dad/) to live with mom and dad because of his debt and inability to find work. If only he had spent some time after high school - or even a year break from college - living at home, working, taking classes at the local college, saving, etc. When he reached his mid-twenties he could have been debt free and, dare I say, much wiser?
I know many Christian parents who would never, ever, never-ever consider putting a TV in their child's bedroom. Why? They do not want harmful influences streaming into their child's room. Yet then they give their teenager an I-Phone or it's like. O ye of too much faith!
The media is all abuzz about President Obama's support for gay marriage heard in a recent interview. Yet [one surprising source](http://www.patheos.com/blogs/bristolpalin/2012/05/hail-to-the-chiefs-malia-and-sasha-obama/) pointed out the irony that the president indicated that it was a conversation with his daughters that helped bring him to a "change of perspective." What does it say for our country when the policy changers are teenage girls?
<span style="text-align:center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span>
Bork warned us in the 90's we were _[Slouching toward Gomorrah](http://www.amazon.com/Slouching-Towards-Gomorrah-Liberalism-American/dp/0060987197), _but racing toward it seems more true these days. Speaking of good reasons not to watch TV, Pastor Erik Raymond warns us about the coming show "[The New Normal](http://www.ordinarypastor.com/?p=10306)" on NBC (you know, the station whose logo is a peacock with rainbow feathers) while giving good counsel on how to minister to this lust-enslaved generation. At this rate, one can only imagine what the show "The Newer New Normal" will be like a decade from now.
Young husbands, spring is here and summer cometh. Learn the joy of having your wife's body reserved for your eyes only. Help her to dress modestly. But, alas, the path is narrow so be careful. She could take this to mean you are interested in shopping for clothes with her.
_To him who lacks sense wisdom says, "...Leave your simple ways,<span style="font-size:11px;"> </span>and live, and walk in the way of insight.” -Proverbs 9:6_