A Turn of Events

We all know the affect that social media and movies has on this world; IT IS HUGE! If one thing happens across the other side of the earth, we will see it in a matter of minuets. If one celebrity or multiple people endorse a product, we feel more obligated to buy something. If our favorite actor/ actress is premiering in a new movie, we will probably want to go see it. All of these things that social media does tricks our brain into thinking that we need more of the newer, bigger stuff. It can also influence us to feel and act a certain way based on what we see. But, how is this an economic problem?
                                                                                           

Everything is made up of choices. We go promote a movie by seeing it, wearing similar clothing, buying merchandise, etc. The recent show "13 Reasons Why" is a nationwide hit explaining what might happen when one decides to take their life. This show has had different effects on people and brought out some controversial opinions. For starters, we all have a choice and suicide should not be one of them. The show could have made it seem like they were simply justifying her death; but what I got out of it was that people need to be aware of what they say and do and that it can hurt. 
The show also has some negative effects which tend to stick more than the good message. Immature kids watching this could feel like the only way to get recognition is to "go out with a bang," thus influencing them to do something they regret or into a tragedy. This is a choice; to watch the show, to let it get to you, and how you choose to handle it. 

We already know the effect the media has had on the previous election, and still. Trump is one of the most hated men because social media and news want to make people believe that he is nothing but evil. They tend to ignore the cold hard facts and believe the first thing they see. I know that whenever I go onto Instagram, I see something about Trump. And negative always goes farther than positive. 

What we are facing a lot now is inequality and racism. We see it on t.v. and hear about riots and shootings and fights everywhere. People spread subliminal messages through pictures and quotes, we show what is happening in Korea and China and right here in America. Shouldn't that be more than enough to make it stop? This is how we get along. Most of us agree that this is bad so we endorse plans and actions to get rid on inequality. This the choice we made. And yet still, the negative can overpower the positive. People are still racist, this is a known fact. People want Muslims to leave because they are a threat, Trump wants to build a wall, someone makes a comment and they get bashed and are told to go kill themselves. It all revolves around a cycle of one person making a choice and the other tearing them down.  

Social media is a place where we share who we are, what is going on in the world, events happening, etc. Basically like a cult. And on social media we are free to share our thoughts, post what we want and as much as we want because that is what it was made for. But we are being tore down because of what we say and because nobody agrees with anything. Our freedom to choose will always be compromised by others freedom to choose because we think we are greater than the other.                               
                                   

#Adulting

One of the greatest problems we face as a growing country is immaturity in our generations. Growth can not happen if we ourselves do not develop our minds and bodies. On the same note, parents need to start teaching their child at a young age to expect the demands of real work. This is how we can prepare the next generation for life and prevent a generation of lazy _______ (enter appropriate word here).

                                                      

 The argument in the article, "How to Raise an American Adult", makes us wonder... what does 'adulting' really qualify? It has now become a trend to call engaging in adult behaviors 'adulting' as if one was detached from that role. But what we are seeing a lot of today is the never ending stage of adolescence. Early 20's adults are showing less difference from a ten year old than they were a few years ago. This pointed out that more people ages 18-34 are more likely to continue living with their parents instead of with a spouse or getting their own living space. Finding your own place is a big part of the responsibilities you will need to commit to, but at the same time it is partially the parents fault. 1) They continue to let their now grown up child live there and 2) they don't seem to push them to do more with their lives. Yes, there are circumstances that an young adult lives with their parents and it is perfectly fine. But one thing my parents made clear with me (and especially my siblings); "You cannot live here past 18 if you are not doing something with your life, we won't support you if you are being lazy and not trying."

"Too many of our children simply don’t know what an adult is anymore—or how to become one. Perhaps more problematic, older generations have forgotten that we need to teach them."

                                            -Ben Sasse

 

Many parents will set up ways to have their child flourish. What I mean by that is they give them chores, teach them how to change a flat tire, or even put them in charge of making something. Because the fact of the matter is, people are going into college and they sometimes don't even know how to do laundry or wash dishes. How are adults setting the way for the next generation? By handing them a phone and saying, "go wild." 

Even here in Yuba City, our schooling systems do not teach us how to be prepared for a life after high school. All they care about is getting into college but not teaching us other important parts of life. My college counselor, Colleen Lamon, says that we are some of the most immature kids because we do not know how to handle adult responsibilities. And not immature as in acting weird; immature as in we aren't getting the hang of things. Not once have I been in a class that teaches about taxes or how to balance a checkbook or things that we will inevitably have to know one way or the other. When I started my job, I had to fill out a W-4 form and I had no idea what to do. But when I recently filled it out again for a new job I knew what I was doing. Little things like that. I didn't have to call my parents to ask what to do and it felt satisfying.

I know that for me, if I was left with a task and little instruction on what to do, I would be very worried. I ask a lot of questions, I want to make sure I'm doing _____ right. But I would have to say that sometimes we need to just figure it out on our own, that's how we grow, by making a way for ourselves and connecting with other people for economic, mental, and physical growth.