As kids, many or most of us were cautioned to not 'follow the crowd.' The general idea was even kids had the ability to ascertain whether something was right or wrong, as well as to not allow others to influence their behaviors or choices. Perhaps it was regional, but the expression I was familiar with: “If all your friends jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge, that doesn't mean you have to do it!”
I've noticed a more modern approach. Those who wish to influence others, or to cover their own behaviors, claim “But Everybody does it!” or, with a wink-wink-nudge-nudge, “But didn't we all-?!” And it can cover virtually every topic imaginable.
This approach is destructive. When individuals refuse to 'own' their own actions, and instead use this excuse, it can cause a considerable amount of negativity. First, people who did not do those things- the majority, regardless of the particular topic- are either brushed off as freaks-of-nature or their honesty is held up to question. And second, it's a lousy influence on the younger generations who continuously see, hear, and read this nonsense, coming to believe the fringe-element minority of the older generation represents the lifestyles and values of all of us. And a consequence: when so many young people are misled into believing this, it does not give them a very solid foundation for making sensible choices of their own.
Not long ago, I read comments on a forum from a 21-year-old. When the subject of Baby Boomers came up, she remarked 'OMG, we know what THEY were like!' Seems many in the younger generations believe 'we all' are represented by the fellow in this image*. In fact, though, I never knew anyone like that. Actually, I had a copy of this magazine when it came out, so I checked the date in the image: April 1968. At that time, I was a 'kid sister' of a Marine; my brother was serving in Vietnam. And both my experiences and his are the majority.
So how did our generation come to be considered (a phrase I heard) 'longhaired hippie-freaks' totally out of control? Wrong makes the news; Average does not. But this everybody and we all approach has gone a long way in distorting young people's view of our entire generation.
Why do individuals insist on using this approach- saying everybody and we all instead of saying 'I'? Perhaps we can take a cue from a character on the old tv show House- he remarked to Dr. House: “When you're a drug addict, you want to believe Everybody else is one, too.”
And whether the subject is drugs or anything else, it's time we stopped allowing the fringe-element of our generation to use this excuse. There's more at stake than our reputation in history books- what's more important is the influence on the younger generations.
* image: MAD Magazine
I've noticed a more modern approach. Those who wish to influence others, or to cover their own behaviors, claim “But Everybody does it!” or, with a wink-wink-nudge-nudge, “But didn't we all-?!” And it can cover virtually every topic imaginable.
This approach is destructive. When individuals refuse to 'own' their own actions, and instead use this excuse, it can cause a considerable amount of negativity. First, people who did not do those things- the majority, regardless of the particular topic- are either brushed off as freaks-of-nature or their honesty is held up to question. And second, it's a lousy influence on the younger generations who continuously see, hear, and read this nonsense, coming to believe the fringe-element minority of the older generation represents the lifestyles and values of all of us. And a consequence: when so many young people are misled into believing this, it does not give them a very solid foundation for making sensible choices of their own.
Not long ago, I read comments on a forum from a 21-year-old. When the subject of Baby Boomers came up, she remarked 'OMG, we know what THEY were like!' Seems many in the younger generations believe 'we all' are represented by the fellow in this image*. In fact, though, I never knew anyone like that. Actually, I had a copy of this magazine when it came out, so I checked the date in the image: April 1968. At that time, I was a 'kid sister' of a Marine; my brother was serving in Vietnam. And both my experiences and his are the majority.
So how did our generation come to be considered (a phrase I heard) 'longhaired hippie-freaks' totally out of control? Wrong makes the news; Average does not. But this everybody and we all approach has gone a long way in distorting young people's view of our entire generation.
Why do individuals insist on using this approach- saying everybody and we all instead of saying 'I'? Perhaps we can take a cue from a character on the old tv show House- he remarked to Dr. House: “When you're a drug addict, you want to believe Everybody else is one, too.”
And whether the subject is drugs or anything else, it's time we stopped allowing the fringe-element of our generation to use this excuse. There's more at stake than our reputation in history books- what's more important is the influence on the younger generations.
* image: MAD Magazine