The Good and the Bad of What Our Children Will Call "Normal"

In light of recent events, I've begun thinking, worrying in some instances, about what my children will grow up thinking is normal. I think, really, this applies to anybody ages 16 and under who are being exposed to these radical changes, both good and bad, that will redefine the way people of the world think about essential, crucially important things.

Source: http://kuwaitiful.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Confused_baby.jpg

Gun Violence is Just How It Is

This one is likely the most troublesome. As the Huffington Post points out, in the 10 months following the December 2012 school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, 78 mass shootings took place across the United States. As these shootings continue to happen on (at least) a monthly basis, with ever decreasing outcry from the American public, I'm left to wonder if we've come to accept these shootings as commonplace.

Most worrying, however, is what that means to the development of current teenagers and future children. If it becomes the case that our children see mass violence as a natural consequence of disgruntled human beings, does that result in a population which thinks that's the way to solve things?

The Political System is a Waste of Time

It's no stretch to say that people my age and older are disenchanted with the political system; this applies to people on both sides of the aisle, and really why shouldn't people feel that way? American politics is stuck in this cycle of foolishness, authoring its own destruction. If we think that our government is a useless exercise in corruption, how can those coming after us think it any better?

Genetically Modified Food is Delicious and Healthy

With the United States continuing to battle over whether or not Americans have a right to know their food was created in a lab like Frankenstein, mega-corporations, like Monsanto, continue to consolidate their grasp over the agricultural industry. Apparently, allowing the company responsible for Agent Orange to taint the very things we rely on for our survival seems like a great idea.

If the trend continues down its current path, then you will have two camps. The minority will be pocket groups of people who grow their own food; well, at least until Monsanto finds a way to make that a theft of intellectual property. The majority will be eating flavorless tomatoes, modified with fish genes for some reason or another. Unfortunately, most people will grow up without the real taste of nature on their lips.

The Only Good: Social Equality is a Moral Imperative

If there can be anything positive said about our future societal norms, then it has to be said about equality. Don't get me wrong; I don't see women suddenly filling up the White House, rape culture disappearing, or anyone without an ivory complexion  suddenly being free of the prejudice tossed on their backs by the narrow views of history.

What I do see is progress, however. I see children who understand that love is love, regardless of the couple makeup. I see children who can put a woman into the highest office of the land; that's assuming my earlier precognition of governmental disinterest doesn't coming true. Whatever form it takes, I think equality will be the single thing that changes for the better for the new class.

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What do you think the future will be like for the young folk?  Am I being too cynical?