The history of adults criticizing the younger generation

The History
of Adults
Blaming the
Younger
Generation
The history of adults criticizing the younger generation

First Century
B.C.
‘The beardless youth._
docs no.
foresee whal is useful. squandering
his money_
Horacc
What really matters to young men without beards?
You waste your money without being able to survive.
Horace

4th
Century
B.C.
“[Young people] are high-minded
because
have not yet been
humbled
life
think
know everything; and are always’
quite sure uhout it,
Rhictoric. Aristutle
Young people are still suffering from life’s hardships.
I’m arrogant because I don’t become frugal.
They think they know everything
And I am always confident about it.
Aristotle – Rhetoric
thcy
by
They
they

2001
have trouble making
decisions.
would rather hike in
the Himalayas than climb a
corporate ladder.
Article in Time Maeiuzine
Young people are not good at making decisions. They are
I’d rather climb the Himalayas than get promoted.
Time magazine article
“Thcy
They

1993
it”s the first generation in
American history to live s0
and
complain s0 bitterly about it,
Article In the Iaslingtun Pust
This generation is the most prosperous in American history.
This is the generation that complains the most.
wishingter post
welI

1951
‘Many [young people] were 50
pampered these days that
had
forgotten that there was such &
ds
walking,
Artlcle in Falkirk Ierildl
Kids these days are so bossy.
I have forgotten that there is such a thing as walking.
Falkirk Herald article
they
thing

1925
an attitude on the part of you
folk which is best described as
grossly thoughtless. rude, and
completely selfish.
Article ii the Hull D)aily Mail
The attitude of young people these days is very rude and dull.
I can only describe it as completely selfish.
Hell Daily Mail Article

1843
‘[girls who] drive coal-carts; ride
astride upon horses. drink swear,
fight, smoke. whistle. and care for
nobody
the morals of children are
tenfold worse than formerly.
Amthony Ashley Cooper the First Earl of
Shafttshury Spccch I thie Huuse %
Comtuufls
Girls riding horses, swearing, drinking, smoking
Fighting and not caring about anyone
Children’s morality has become ten times more corrupt than before.
British House of Commons sister Ashley Cooper speaking during a speech

1790
‘The free access which many young
people have t0 romances. novels.
and plays has poisoned the mind
and corrupted [he morals of many a
youth pleading
Memoirs nf tlie Rlttriseruve Family.
Rcvercnu Emus Hitclicuck
Young people’s novels, plays, romantic stories
With too free access to their
The minds and morals of many promising young people are polluted.
“Sex has become corrupted”
Enohichigok – Memoirs of the Bulchulsgrobo Family

1624
“Youth were more sawcic.
yea never more saVagely saucie
the ancient are scorncd, thc
honorable are qualified. (he
magistrate is not afraid `
The Wisc-Min’ Farccust #niinst thte Lxill
Times Thumtas Iarmes
They have never been as arrogant and sullen as the kids these days. They make fun of the old man.
He despises the honorable name and does not even fear the judge.
Thomas Barnes – A wise man standing against a weak age

1330
–
1332
Modern fashions seem 10
oII
erowing mnore and morc dcbased
The ordinary spoken language has
also steadily coarsened.
TsurtzurtPusa (Fssays in Idlentss); Yoshiidi
Kenki
These days, fashion is becoming more and more corrupt.
Ordinary language is also steadily becoming harsher:
Yoshida Renko-Tsurezuregusa (Inaction)
kcep