Sunday, March 29, 2009

OMG U R CLUELESS

A few weeks ago our church started promoting a six-week special Sunday school class for parents, educators, whoever-might-be-interested, called "Understand Youth: Connecting with Teens in a MySpace World".

Or something like that.

I called to get more information and was told that the class was geared for people who deal with pre-teens and teens, specifically, middle schoolers and high schoolers. So Blaine and I decided to sign up.

NOT because we really need it, of course, is what we told ourselves. We did that smug parenting thing about how OUR children are not problem children and of COURSE the lines of communication are open at our house and we are VERY vested in our children's lives and EXTREMELY aware of what goes on and perhaps even more importantly, we are still hip. We're not like some of those old fuddy-duddys who are so out of touch with today's youth.

Nope, not us. We are dope. Or rad. Or getting jiggy with it? I can't really remember.

Today, the speaker started the talk by saying many people fall into one of two camps; one that believes the kids of today have never had more advantages and have never been better off, and one that believes the kids of today are hurting like no other generation before.

The speaker said he personally falls into the second camp, based on the extremely high levels of negative, unfortunate behavior being chosen and exhibited by teens of today. He mentioned drugs, innapropriate sexual conduct, binge drinking ......

Then he said, "And cutting, for example, was no where near in the past the problem it is now. Recent studies indicate up to five percent of all male college freshman cut on a regular basis, and up to nine percent of all female college freshman also cut on a regular basis."

And Blaine leaned over and whispered in my ear, "What's the big deal? I used to cut class all the time and I turned out OK."

Clearly, *I* am hip. But I just realized that I am married to a fuddy-duddy.

18 comments:

Lucy and Ethel said...

It's hard to keep up, isn't it?!?!?

When did 'dope' become a good thing? I heard Randy Jackson tell a contestant her performance was 'dope' on American Idol, and because he has his own gruntspeak (thru which I usually fast forward), I had no idea it was a positive comment until the contestant smiled big and said, "Thanks!"

Sheesh.

Lucy

PS - The title of this is hilarious!

cakeburnette said...

I am pretty sure Mark wouldn't know what it is either. So Blaine is in good company. Either that, or Mark AND Blaine are both lame as hell. I guess it's a toss-up. The good part? I'm fairly certain that of the 5 pre-teens you and I have together, probably none of them know what it means, either.

raino said...

i usually just ask my dad for advice. and usually his advice is 'just give them a cuff on the ear'....ah.

cakeburnette said...

I asked him. He has no clue what it is.

Anonymous said...

ok....so what was the spring break news?? I have no idea please post!:) Ps love your blog!!!!!

Cozyflier said...

Well, I only know what it is because of an episode of House!!! However, Kevin is a doctor, so he would know what is!

Unknown said...

i do have to say he needs to watch more m.t.v.

Leeann said...

This was hilarious!

BTW, I just checked with Rob and he *did* know what cutting was. Score one for him!

My 13 year old daughter knows what it is, as well.

Pretty scary stuff!

story2tell said...

I know what it is thanks to Real World on MTV - Frankie's a cutter.

M said...

Post Secret Sundays...lots of cutters...I learned if from your blog roll!

shara said...

Okay- both funny and touches on a serious topic (or several).

Cutting class??? Are you kidding me???

shara said...

Kristie- I love your blog. if you would like to stop by mine, just contact me at sharafaye@gmail.com

Natalie said...

Eamonn would be clueless with Blaine, so don't despair.

Anonymous said...

What was the spring break news?!?!?

Jeanette in GA said...

Sometimes it is worth being the fuddy duddy and being clueless. Less grey hair.

Angie R. said...

Speaking from as a middle grades teacher, sometimes what you don't know can't hurt ya! :-) They crack me up with the way they write notes all in their text lingo!

p.s. What is the surprise from Spring Break????

Renee said...

I'm sure Keith has no clue either. I'll ask him...

Alisa said...

made me chuckle-
(not the serious stuff- the other part!)