Sir, – The involvement of young people in major societal issues is becoming a trend which is not without risk. While we all understand the motivation, issues such as climate change, reforming the Leaving Cert, and so forth should not be societal issues for our youth to solve –they are for us adults to engage with.
Indeed, one can argue that too much burden is being placed on young people; instead they should be allowed to enjoy their youth, concentrate on their education and leisure time and be optimistic about their future. Societal crises come and go – and as a species we either solve them or adapt – but never before have the adults of our society put such burden on our youth to become involved in solving such issues.
Furthermore, the question as to the quality of engagement that emerges from such activity must surely be suspect. What solutions to climate change can young people offer? Since when did students who have not yet sat the Leaving Certificate have insights that should shape its future?
As we’ve seen with Greta Thunberg, such engagement often results in the emergence of a blame culture, with youth groups blaming older generations for all of the woes they perceive; when just as important to youth development is to have faith and trust in the authority and experience of elders that does exist and are of value in societies such as ours. – Yours, etc,
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KEVIN NOLAN,
Dublin 16.