Times have changed...and bless our young people.

 

It's interesting to me, considering those friends of mine who are leaving Facebook, or who have already left, and the reasons that they give.

 

And then I was surprised to realize that the majority of them are the young ones, and it seems to me when I was that age I had a good deal of energy and did some rather fiery protesting. Civil rights, women's rights, environmental issues and more. 

 

And then I realized that for young people today life is in many ways, a lot more complex, a lot more difficult than it was for me and my generation...and the next and the next. Despite the financial situations we faced, despite the wars, despite gender inequality, despite, even, the horrendous inequality and the sadly casual evil of racial issues that was taken for granted by so many. 

 

Today, so many 20 and 30 and 40-year-olds are holding down not one but two jobs (or more) in order to meet the rising costs of living, with both parents working, and now is also the time when they are raising their children, and that alone is a huge, often exhausting challenge. College costs alone are insane, as are grocery costs, and housing is through the roof. I think quite possibly all this creates a situation more difficult than it was for us. There are so many demands and expectations and needs and wants that we didn't have, and nor did our children. We didn't have our own telephones, let alone portable ones that go everywhere and keep us on call at all times, we didn't have computers, we didn't have some of the health issues that our children and grandchildren face today. We didn't have organized play dates and so many outside activities that kids have to be driven to. We simply had more time! I believe it's a good deal harder now for the younger people, with all the complexities and expectations, and they have my love and undying respect. 

 

And I think that a lot of us who fought these fights before are strong and experienced and have built our armor over the years, and we will be here, fighting on, resisting, offering support and love wherever it's needed, wherever we're able. We may be tired, and God knows I am, but here I am nonetheless.