Can Innocence vs. Adult Influence Make for Better Change?
I was working late the day before vacation and lost track of time and missed the commuter train by 5 minutes. Lucky I have the subway and a cab as an alternative.
I got on the subway and a college student had just come from watching a baseball game on television at a local bar. He was unable to get a ticket to the game but wanted to be part of the moment. He had recently studied in France and was pretty amazed at the difference in culture. He found that the French were so much aware of the whole world and much more accepting of different opinions. As an American, it made him realize how narrow-minded most Americans are.
This lead to several other college students who had just come back from studying abroad and thought it was amazing that Europeans were much more open to sexuality and real down on violence. Their news, movies and television played very little violence. They thought it was funny that they had learned as children that Europe was so strict with their religion that many early settlers came to the USA. However, today religious beliefs are less controlling in Europe than in the USA.
For most of my career I have had college students work for me. I have found them to be much more willing to debate an issue, to challenge the status quo, to make a difference, and to question authority.
Similar conversations with older adults are more limited. The conversation almost always ends in “why rock the boat”, “I am afraid of how it will reflect on me and my organization or business”. The adult is more willing to accept how things are today, that they cannot make a difference.
Are the youth of today better off being prepared by receiving an international perspective? Seeing the rest of the world and its views on sexuality, violence, war, economics, etc. may lessen the negative adult influence that seems to be harmful in creating positive change in the USA.
Having youth, college students or young adults as part of the nonprofit organization could be just what the organization needs to keep it healthy and vibrant in the future. To come up with those solutions which we adults are afraid to try.
