Warming up to the Younger Generation

[Chiyocities]

Would you guys agree that the more older you get, the more you'll start being empathetic to those who are younger? I've observed this little phenomenon ever since I graduated high school (I am in college right now). For some reason, I am starting to feel for the 'youngsters' that are taking on the challanges that I have faced (from infancy through highschool). Before, I never really cared about those who were younger, but as I got older, I find myself warming up to them; wanting to hang around and share with them my own wisdom.

I don't know if it's because we understand the certain struggles they go through at that age or if it's simply our yearnings to go back and observe how we used to be like.

In developmental psychology, this is quite common for those who are much older. But I believe it can happen any time once we realize that we can't turn back the clock to visit our childhood...

[FadedOne]

hm....not really. I've always had a bit of a heart for teenagers, but it seems that I have to try alot harder to put up with some of the immaturity that goes with them. Still love 'em, but man.....drama sucks.

[Nate]

Nope, I still don't like kids... XD;;

[peacetracati]

Yes I do, considering I'm always around childern ages 8 and younger.

[Puritan]

I've gotten more empathetic towards middle schoolers (although they can be vicious little weasels at times), but ever since high school I've enjoyed being around elementary school kids and younger. I find that if you take the time to talk to kids of any age and pay attention to what they're saying you can learn alot, and they love the attention from a "cool" older guy (only to a younger kid could I seem cool). The fact that they REALLY appreciate attention and are usually pretty honest makes me enjoy being around kids and working with them. I find that I enjoy being around kids more as I get older (and keep looking forward to having childern of my own someday).

[Chiyocities]

Very true Puritan. The fact that most of the younger kids really do look up to you is one of the reasons why I feel empathetic towards them. I have a friend (a bit older than I am) who is a high school teacher, and says that the only reason she wanted to teach was to be with the kids. It doesn't surprise me that those who consider being a teacher are not in it for the salary.

[Maledicte]

I like hanging out with high school kids. Mostly because I forget I'm no longer one of them.

[Doubleshadow]

I had a particulary theatrical adolescense owing to a number of factors not limited to my penchant for drama, as FadedOne said. I have "been there" in a number of ways other people have not or at least are not willing to admit to. I feel the same way you do, Chiyocities, for those those reasons. Going through those things alone was not fun at all and I would like to spare others having to go it alone if possible, before I get too old to maintain credibility.

[Kisa]

I do to a certain point. Like I feel bad that schools are worse and there are alot more things facing them in school than should be for ones their age....
Mostly glad that it wasnt that bad when I was young, lol

[Cap'n Nick]

I started teaching Sunday school a few months ago, and I constantly find myself trying to think from their perspective and remember what was important to me in third grade. The boys are pretty easy, but little girls are still a little foreign to me. Last Sunday I was quite taken aback when I wasn't allowed to dismiss class until I had hugged Elizabeth, a doll that had been brought along and had somehow managed to be more participatory than some of the students. Yep, it's always an adventure with those guys, but, what would you expect from the dispensers of such timeless wisdom as "Girls need to fart, too?"

[ShiroiHikari]

The older I get, the more disdain I have for most teenagers. Some of them are alright though ;]

Younger kids I can deal with a little better now than I used to. I'm even starting to like kids a little. Gasp!

[PigtailsJazz]

The older I get, the more I adore any kid under the age of 10 (especially toddlers....they're so cute!), and RUN AWAY from anyone in middle school and high school....

With the exception of a few, of course. My brother, for example, is the awesomest high schooler ever.

[Chiyocities]

True, older teens can be a handful at times, but since I am close to the same age as they are, I myself can tolerate most of their antics. Though who knows how this attitude might change for me in twenty years.

I think another reason why some of us can be more empathetic towards them is simply because the older you get, the more you get to know the real world. Most younger kids are still in a protected environment, knowing little of what is outside beyond their parent's control. We still have times where we want to be in a state where there is less responsibility and possibly even start envying them.

Has anyone read "Catcher in the Rye?" I think the symbolism in the story connects somewhat with the premise of wanting to be watching out to the young (minus the pessimism of the main character).