Youth Development

» Joni Rose - Right on the mark!

Hi Susan,
I was just discussing the whole instant gratification issue with another college professor I know. We are both noticing this problem in the young students we see and are concerned about it.
We have noticed a growing trend with students that a) expect things to come to them with very little effort b) they don't read past 50 words of anything we assign c) want results yesterday and have VERY little patience and d)have a total disregard for process and timelines.
I urge the parents who read your article to seriously consider your suggestions of exposing youth to tasks, projects etc. that have a built-in delay in gratification. I worry that this growing trend with the technology boom will have its consequences.
The biggest consequence I see is the prevention of allowing time to produce results. Some things naturally take a maturation period. As the old sayings go, patience is a virtue, time is the best teacher and good things come to those that wait.

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» Susan Carney - Right on the mark!

In response to Right on the mark! posted by Joni188:

Thanks for your comments! I couldnt agree more. Patience is in short supply for many of the kids I work with, too. They are so used to instant results....and I fear that we, as an educational system, are being pressured to provide that for them to keep them motivated, which is the EXACT opposite of what we should be doing! I work hard to help my toddlers learn the skills of sticking with something and waiting for the payoff. I can't wait until they are old enough to plant a garden....maybe next spring!
Sue

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