Natick High School - Sassamon Yearbook (Natick, MA)

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There is a great deal of controversy today about juvenile delinquency and the problems facing our youth. lf we stop to analyze some of the problems we find that there is a lack of communication between the youth and the adult. Neither seems to have found the relationship that will make clear what each can expect from the other. The place of the ado- lescent in our complex, cosmopolitan civilization of this twentieth century is isolation in a No-Man's-Land . Society considers young people to be immature and irre- sponsible and feels they must be segregated from the real world the adult knows. Adults apparently hope the youth will be spared the shock of making mistakes, thus learning the contradictions in their culture. Young people are constantly being pressured by various factions, each competing for their time and loyalty. These factions tend to operate independently of one another with conflicting purposes and their attention becomes focused on furthering their own interests rather than in aiding in the development of the boy or girl. There is a trend today known as highapressure advertising. Business men will tell you it is an absolute necessity to the function of modern business. Youth, too, needs its advertis- CLASS ESSAY By PATRICIA GRAHAM ing, but certainly not the kind that is prevalent today. It the attitude of the adults that has a decided bearing on tl barrier that exists between the older and the younger gener. tions. lt is this barrier that causes the adult to wonder abou the behavior of the youth .... There is a gap, due to the lac of communication, that could be narrowed by the two grout developing a mutual relationship. The young people do not want society to ignore complet' ly the formidable and frightening facts about juvenile di linquency, but the world is told too often what is wrong wit teen-agers. Why not ask ourselves what is right with them There are thousands of good, substantial young people wit honorable goals. The teen-ager feels he has a certain degree of indepenc ence. However, there are still certain qualities he looks fc in the adult which he uses for guidance in assuming hi responsibilities. Youth wishes patience and understandin from his elders. He would also Hnd security in the adult s that he, too, may face life with a sense of security. Tw thousand years ago there lived a Man who possessed supreni qualities that have never been equalled. It was He who saii Suffer little children to come unto me. His patience an understanding cannot be approached by the adult, but yout would ask his elders to use His example as their guide. It i little to ask, yet it is important to the young person tryin to find his way out of this No-Man's-Land . To aid him i finding the gateway to adulthood he wants from his elder an orientation to adulthood, rather than protection fror adult society. Youth expects a certain amount of suppoi from adults. In return, what can society expect from youth No-Man's-Land is the place where the maturing perso must make extremely important choices. He is often opt. mistic and idealistic about his future. By constantly seekin knowledge and experience he will learn and grow. In hi search it is possible that he will make mistakes. Experienc is still the best teacher. The dependency on the family gradu ally lessens. The young person must now prove his capabilit to raise his own family. For a number of young people mar riage is not too distant from high school graduation. In mal: ing a selection of his life's work, be he Christian or Jew, hi must choose a vocation that is good according to the standard of his religion and background, a good vocation being what ever work he feels God wishes him to do in the world. Youtl must face reality as well as be idealistic in finding his owr way of lifeu. These are some of the things society can expect This is an ever-changing world. A wealth of opportunity is open to all. N o movement or reform is proposed that Wil not be carried out by a future generation. Youth is ever the source of unlimited possibilities. Society can expect the ulti mate efforts of the citizens of tomorrow to help fulfill it. hopes. In the words of the poet: When duty whispers low, 'Thou must' The youth replies, I can'. -PATRICIA GRAI-IAM.