Thursday, October 23, 2008

Affluent Teenagers

a Biblical thought...
There is nothing to fear here. I know you're looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed. (Matt 28:5-6)

a Book thought...
Because each new leader is a unique person asking unique questions, each one needs a guide. (p37 Logan & Miller)
a Dave thought...
It has been amazing how much press the muck up day at Xavier has attracted. As this group of 17 & 18yo's boys drink, abuse some people and wreck public property the principal then takes the action of suspending the whole year level till their exams. It is again a case where we are are very reactive and judgemental of the behaviour but not proactive on how we take students somewhere different on their high school journey.

US clinical psychologist Dr Madeline Levine in her recent book The Price of Privilege
notes that numerous studies in recent years show that bright, charming, seemingly confident and socially skilled teenagers from affluent, loving families are experiencing epidemic rates of depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. This happens more among this affluent group than in any other socio-economic group of American adolescents. She blames this on materialism, pressure to achieve, perfectionism, and disconnection.

I believe we have similar issues Down Under, as the pressure on this affluent group of Australian teenagers to live the perfect life is creating more and more a whole heap of messed up young people with everything at their fingertips but not much in their hearts.

Just a thought.

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