Glenwriter, sad commentary. Who is to say that the adult is more valuable to society than a baby? The baby could in fact grow to be the most wonderful human, go on to invent water sustainability and much more. I would reach whomever I could reach. Do you kick the cat and hiss at innocent children on your good days?

In response to the article I do agree with the shift in the values of younger people. One major drawback of the IR reforms is that due to many people seeking more hours to cover what they will lose in penalty rates, and single mothers and people with disabilities out there looking for work, the jobs which previous went to school age kids, will be taken up by these people.

It will be interesting to see the shifting sands which will occur both for the young people who use this money to fund the 'extras', and often help in supporting their families,but do not have the full realm of family responsibility, and, for those who need the work to feed their families, pay their rent and bills. Part time, and casual Work and employment will now become a commodity which will be fought over vigorously. I can see many people demanding that school age workers give up their jobs so that parents can have their hours, and at least feed and clothe their families.

Glen, you're taking the piss and I'm laughing my head off.

Dr Dawes

Nobody is any more valuable than anybody else. We just are who we are. And in that vein, we are to a great extent who and what our generation shapes us to be.

You describe a young generation that differs in attitude to those that precede it. But what if you take a longer view? What id you go back 20 or 30 years and re-run your analysis; you'll find the same outcome - a generation with different views to its parents'. Go forward 30 or 50 years and I'll wager that again you'll find the same outcome.

Every 'young' generation will be experiencing something different to its parents. Things change as societies mature, new ideas emerge, new patterns of educating, labour, living, entertainment emerge. So inevitably the current new generation of school leavers and new employees is more adaptive to a flexible career path than was the case for my generation (1972 graduate).

However here's a thought for you. My father's father, after being forced into the workforce at 14, changed jobs many times. My father too had several jobs over a successful career. I have been laid off twice and now am building a business that includes a 'portfolio' of jobs. How far removed is that from my 18yo son's first job - in fast food - as a casual. Or his present full-time job on an AWA - effectively as a casual, with no holiday pay. He accepted these terms immediately and recognises that he has no more certainty than did I. The difference is now its well known and better understood. And he accepts it as the way it is and gets on with doing a good job.

I too accept it, and have always thought that my security depended solely on my performance, not on any tenure of office, award or contract. And most of the productive people I have worked with over the years seemed to hold the same view.

So in the end, the more things change, the more things stay the same.

its allways funny when people say 'the children are our future'. they are not. they are their own future, you are their past. and the past is irrevelant.

A good article.

The comment made in the penultimate par is spot-on: "Adolescence is a time when issues such as “Who am I?” and “Where do I fit in this world?” are of paramount importance to young people." This is my expereince as a father of three teenagers, if that counts for anything. More pertinently, that was certainly my experience.

However, the suggestion made in the final par points to the problem we have. The writer suggests we should "provide adequate forms of welfare, educational and employment provisions to support young people and their families in coping with the rapid social and economic changes that are occurring in contemporary Australian society." Well, maybe. The problem is that this does not address the philosophical question of 'who am I?', and we need to answer that question in order to answer the one about 'Where do I fit in the world?".

Tinkerbell1952, I agree with your assesment, some people are so blinkered in their view, that they could run a Melbourne Cup, That intellegence range also suits the arguement presented re let the children die, because we have no water. We can use desalanation plants if need be, solar energy, to save water that large industry uses, as well to keep their plants going, in North Queensland, we are using recycled water, after treatment, to keep our Nickel refinery going, innovation that will be lost to us in future if children are not considered "our best asset". We need to be nurtureing young minds, so they can build on our technology, this is the way of the future, a great pity those who don't agree, are unable to see.