The Kids Are Alright

Before I delve too much into all that I've learned these last few days at TWTRCon09 and the Ypulse Mash-up, I need to start with highlighting just one piece of the puzzle when we look at our communication with youth:

A whole lot of people just don't understand or respect them.

Now before I get a whole bunch of marketing and advertising folks jumping up to prove how much they've done to authentically reach youth, know that I'm not necessarily talking about you. I'm talking about the general public: anchors, teachers, authority figures, the check-out lady and the mailman. 

I was deeply disappointed to read an article today about a Manvel, TX high school teacher named Cesar Flores who appeared to be teaching while intoxicated, and attempted to kiss a female student in class. The students in the classroom were 10th and 11th graders, who contacted district police to address their concerns. The spokesperson for the Alvin Independent School District, Shirley Brothers, then spoke to the media about the accusations:

"The good thing is the kiddos noticed something was wrong and reported it. We're proud of the youngsters for reporting something was wrong."

Kiddos? Youngsters? Noticed something was wrong and reported it? Pardon my language, but NO SHIT they noticed something was wrong. These are not children; these are young adults learning about how to live in an adult world, and they were faced with a very serious, very adult threat. And while Brothers is right--they did respond correctly to the situation--she could not have come off more condescending or more surprised at their success.

The truth of the matter is that youth are thrown into adult situations earlier and earlier (and admittedly, some of that is by their own doing, but that's neither here nor there.) But when they respond admirably and with maturity in a difficult situation, let's remember that we should reward them in the same way: with admiration and as peer adults.

Full article can be found here.