Thursday, July 21, 2011
Listening with Respect
Depression is a disabling disease, now on a trajectory to become a pandemic. And while depression can affect anyone dealing with displacement or trauma, it is particularly devastating to teens, whose minds are far from being fully developed, yet whose awareness and demands can be overwhelming.
For parents and school counselors, this is not necessarily news, but for seniors suddenly found redundant, it is possibly an opportunity to meld two generations into programs that benefit both.
Reorienting youth away from the false promises of consumerism and toward more fulfilling lives is not an easy task, but listening to them with respect for what they have to deal with in today's world is something we can do with little effort or expense. Sharing our perspectives on resiliency and philosophy might help them to endure the social pressures to conform to the market mentality. While we cannot tell them what to do, we can at least advise them as to the consequences of their choices.
For parents and school counselors, this is not necessarily news, but for seniors suddenly found redundant, it is possibly an opportunity to meld two generations into programs that benefit both.
Reorienting youth away from the false promises of consumerism and toward more fulfilling lives is not an easy task, but listening to them with respect for what they have to deal with in today's world is something we can do with little effort or expense. Sharing our perspectives on resiliency and philosophy might help them to endure the social pressures to conform to the market mentality. While we cannot tell them what to do, we can at least advise them as to the consequences of their choices.
