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Anxiety Affects Youth
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- Parent Category: Advanced News Lessons
- Category: Culture Lessons
- Written by Chris Cotter
Much has been said about the current economic climate, as doom-and-gloom scenarios abound. There are home foreclosures, dwindling savings, and bankruptcies. Yet little has been said about the long-term effects the current woes will have on the youth of today. At least, this is until now.
The Millennials are perhaps in for the biggest shock, as they have grown up with promises of plenty throughout childhood. Unfortunately, as these twenty-somethings now enter the job market or attempt to trade up their current positions, the jobs available stand in stark contrast with their lofty expectations. The prospects are abysmal. Current career decisions could have a lasting impact, affecting career success and earning potential for years. What's more, having been coddled and protected, a great many may resent to some extent their parents for raising them with the notion that success was a matter-of-fact guarantee.
The youngest children may experience the most profound effects. Although likely unable to express what's transpiring in words, they nevertheless notice their parents' fears and anxieties regarding money. These children will then see the world less rosily than their teenage and twenty-something peers and siblings. They will assess the world with greater caution, ultimately affecting career choices and financial decisions.
As for teenagers, they have known both the promises given to the Millennials and the hardships now being ingrained in young children. Therefore they better understand the current sense of loss, and may make vows to prevent something similar affecting them again. Teens will pay more attention to the economy and business than in the past, which will affect their studies at college and their careers. This age group will also lose confidence in the general idea that children live better, more prosperous lives than their parents.
Preview some of the lesson material:
Warm Up: Do you agree or disagree? Why?
- I am quite worried about the current economic problems.
- The current economic problems are having an effect on the young people of today.
- The current economic problems will have a long-term effect on young people.
- The current economic problems have a greater effect on adults than on children.
- The current economic problems have a greater effect on teenagers than on young children.
True or False?: Guess (before the article) or answer (after the article) whether the sentence is true or false. If false, correct the sentence.
- According to the article, Millennials will be affected the most.
- Millennials are anyone who is currently looking for a job.
- Young children see and understand, but can't explain, their parents' worries.
- According to the article, teenagers will focus on the economy and business in the future.
- Now teenagers might not believe that they can be more successful than their parents.
post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!
- How have the current economic problems affected you? Please explain.
- How do you think the current economic problems will affect you in the future? Please explain.
- Do you agree about the current economic problems and their effects on children? Why/not?
- Do you agree about the current economic problems and their effects on teenagers? Why/not?
- Do you agree about the current economic problems and their effects on twenty-somethings? Why/not?
Google Search: Type "anxiety" into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings.
