(Not) The greatest generation
T-Anna and I were making floral arrangements for our Ladies Circle luncheon when her daughter, D-Anna called in a panic. Apparently, the 25 year old college graduate was experiencing great angst because she couldn’t assemble a new bookcase. “There’s a nail with little swirls around it and a plus sign on the end, and I can’t make it go in the hole!” she wailed. T-Anna and I were puzzled until we realized her brilliant accountant daughter didn’t know a nail from a Philips head screw.
Attention everyone; in case you didn’t already know, we are no longer dealing with the greatest generation.
Understanding everything about technology, but little about life, this generation is incapable of reading an analog clock or deciphering a real map. They’re the ones who, thanks to Velcro shoes, didn’t know what a shoelace was until they reached middle school.
According to a recent article, there are currently 38% fewer traditional home-economics classes offered in schools than just a few years ago, resulting in 30% of college students admitting they don’t know how to boil an egg. As granny used to say, “Well, don’t that beat all!”
After pondering the situation, I’ve decided today’s teens and young adults aren’t necessarily dim-witted, it’s just that my generation hasn’t provided adequate instruction (accepting the blame is the mom way to handle it), and eliminating home economics is only the beginning.
Several years ago, my two boys had friends over, so there were five little boys hovering around the house as I whipped up some butter cream icing.
With great fanfare, I announced, “Who wants to lick . . . click HERE to finish the story at al.com
Amen is really all I can say, but I was reading the comments on AL.com and the dude who said, “Ignore the crazies, their jeans have cut off their circulation,” has me ’bout rolling in the floor with laughter.
Yes, the commenters on al.com are funny, but some are just mean. I only read the comments with one eye open. Glad you liked it, my long-time readers are all that matter to me!
Amen Leslie Anne, I swear kids don’t even know how to write anymore, all they do is text and type! I am embarrassed to admit my daughter, who has an executive position in a high tech company, can’t sew on a button, put her husband can! He can iron too, bless his mama!
Then they’re a perfect match!
Not only can both of my sons sew on buttons, but one of them was interested in the sewing machine and when he was little would make tool belts and dog toys! He made me a purse one time and I had to carry it! You should have seen it. – Oh my! But made with love.
I am speechless. I know it is true, don’t doubt a word you wrote. I was seeing this years ago when my own son was growing up. I think that when my generation burned their bras, said the hell with being a domestic slave, that backlash is still being being felt. Somehow the urge to return to domestic skills is reemerginging a little here and there, perhaps being fueled by some basic instinct or pulled by the tides. I only know that as I read the blogs and various social media posts, I get a kick out of seeing these girls in their twenties posting like they have just discovered Mars or something else equally momentous when they figure out that soda and buttermilk will make the cornbread rise.
I’m glad women got to go out and work, but I do think that’s when everyone got too busy to teach some of the basics. But not know how to boil an egg?? Really?
I LOVED he shell lantern in your most recent post alas I was unable to leave a comment. This post was a wonderful read too. I have always spent the summer vacation teaching my children real life skills. My son is currently turning into quite the chef.
Thanks Laura. My comments on the new post are being strange, and the tech-dude is working on it. Thanks for letting me know, and I’m glad your son is able to fend for himself in the kitchen!