I agree with Realist.

As a baby boomer the post WWII world was a changed place form the pre WWII world.

When I was young I was rebellious and contrary as anyone could be. I argued with my parents incessantly.

The only difference is the nature of the “changes”. Other than that, the world remains a constantly changing place, constantly re-inventing itself, each generation challenging and rebuilding what went before.

Social values have changed, I believe, largely for the better. We are no longer held in a social straight jacket of say “class”. People are free to exercise their own “free will” with more discretion than in any previous time and obviously held to a higher level of personal responsibility than ever before.

Along with the Simpsons, children of today have far greater opportunity, through say the internet, to communicate on a one to one basis with people on other countries.
Through communication comes understanding.
Through understanding comes tolerance.
And if the world is to find any state of “peace” it will only be through “tolerance”.

Not quite sure what the article was trying to say, it struck me as a shopping list-styled overview of youth culture as viewed at arm's length, but not everything mentioned is exclusively relevant to people under 20. How 'today's teenager' thinks is largely contingent on where they live and their socio-economic situation. I'm yet to meet any teen that stands up as typical. I have teen children and teen friends, whom I chat with on the internet, therefore I feel quite connected to that generation. Some are astoundingly bright, articulate and politically aware, while others are vacuous and self absorbed, the same variety of humanity that dwelled the earth in my day. The only thing today's kids lack is the benefit of hindsight that we all gain with years and wisdom, otherwise - we all go through the same passage (as was mentioned earlier) in much the same way, with the same insecurities and doubts. Our toys may differ, but our minds, hearts and souls are the same.

By way of background I'm age 31, had been not in labor force most of my life and come from an affluent family of urban elites based in Adelaide's inner-east. I reside in a well-known, ageing public housing precinct in a secret inner-city location of Sydney.

Its very hard to say whether its better now than in the "old days" or as some fondly recall "good old days". There was certainly worse discrimination, much less freedom in many areas of life. Now but, there is more insecurity at work, labor market changes and high immigration ensure an oversupplied labor market so employers can hold the whip hand. In a masterfully crafted campaign of spin, the BCA spent a fortune on a TV campaign portraying a withered leather-bound old book of industrial law and said we need to move forward. Thing is, if we do away with that book, and only have half the present protection to replace it, we are returning to the bad old Master-Servant relationship, already evidenced in some industries where employers wield enormous 'bargaining' power compared to their servants.

Today's freedom is great but often an illusion to old folks who say young people are all-up, better off. The certain freedoms we have are definintely welcome, but the losses of freedom and security in life are like a nightmare. The freedom I have to live my own life is not translated into the same chances in the labor market as other similarly aged and qualified persons, nor when I was younger (20-25) was it ever that way either.

Inner-Sydney based transsexual, indigent outcast progeny of merchant family
"The freedom I have to live my own life is not translated into the same chances in the labor market as other similarly aged and qualified persons, nor when I was younger (20-25) was it ever that way either. "

I guess your "freedom to choose a lifestyle" may confront an employers right to employ "the person most suitable for the job" and maybe the "trappings of your lifestyle" simply work against you.

In short, the world and no employer owes you a living. I have always needed to "compromise" or at least "consider" the "choices" I make in terms of appearance to best suit my opportunities for success in this commercial world, maybe you should consider doing the same.

Bing internationally accepted and having proven to be a highly qualified professional in highly demanded in Australia areas of engineering, I am a non-Anglo-Celt – that is an end of story, Col. Rouge, with getting post-graduate qualifications from Melbourne Uni and being employed even in so-much-heralded-worldwide-to-be-so-multicultural Melbourne, Australia.

Col Rouge: I have always needed to "compromise" or at least "consider" the "choices" I make in terms of appearance to best suit my opportunities for success in this commercial world, maybe you should consider doing the same.

Well no wonder I am part of a cynical generation. What does the person I am have to do with my capacity for any job? Surely if I am bound by a society's laws, then ipso facto I would also be entitled to expect a similar level of opportunity to participate in particularly the economic life of society. Its attitudes like yours and your generation in power in business and industry that helps to shut out those who can't help who they are. Last time I checked, I am Australian, surely what of values such as "freedom" of expression and a "fair go" for all?

A fair go for selected types only. Others stay out. Why would I ever bother with work when I have to contend with your types? No-one else has to put up with that rubbish.