The younger generation and ATWT - Part 2

It is my opinion that today's youth is in trouble. By trouble, I mean loss of family values, the good things in life, creativity, community and a true sense of belonging to society. Everything is "ME, ME, ME". Personal iphones, very impersonal social media sites like facebook (which I love, by the way) and twitter have replaced face-to-face discourse, debate and actual contact with others. Childhood and teenaged problems and issues haven't really changed, but society has dictated that information is now presented in hyped-up reality programming; and no longer offered in the form of intelligent scripted drama. If it is not horror, vampires, disgusting fascination with serial killers and murder, the youth don't seem to be interested. And the adults are letting it happen.

Queen Latifah

To get unto my soapbox for a minute, I want to get back to something I wrote about before - namely, the People's Choice Awards last October 2010. I was absolutely appalled at the lack of respect to anyone over the age of thirty. When I saw Queen Latifah literally jump up and down on stage when she was introducing the three 'stars' of the Twilight movies, I was completely 'turned off' (I know that term probably isn't used anymore, but the only few new words I know are OMG and ROFL). Well, I am not ROFL. I am saddened.

We are now reading books, (if we read at all) on small computer screens, rather than curling up with a leather-bound, exquisite novel. We privately download or have Pay per View, rather than going out with our friends to the Movie Theater. Everything is solitary. There are no more impromptu get-togethers at a local jazz club or coffee house to hear a new group play for free. My husband told me that he was lucky enough to see Kris Kristofferson in 'jam session' with a few other artists in downtown Toronto. Yes, yes, yes, I know - that was in the '60's and times have changed. Today, if you want to see an actual artist perform, you can't even buy a ticket for under $100.00. There is nothing free or affordable for our youth, anymore. Instead, they use their money to buy technology. Games and apps have replaced being part of a live performance. Gone are the days where parents either bought their children tickets as birthday presents; or else a child would save up his or her allowance money for many months ahead. It used to be special - an event for which a girl needed a new outfit. And if it was a date, it was talked about for weeks before. But, a child also had to get good grades on a report card, or there would be no surprise, and no special privileges. And that brings me to my major stumbling block when it comes to the younger generation, now.

It is called a 'false sense of entitlement'. I have found that, especially in the last ten years, it is more and more evident. There is no waiting for 'wants' - children demand and receive whatever they want, whenever they want it. And parents 'entitle' their children by being guilted into accepting their demands. It is not even so much a demand for attention from the youth in the fast-paced, uncaring society, it is more a lack of respect for the older generation, authority and common courtesy. It is like George Orwell's '1984', where Big Brother (not the television show) is 'watching' everything. The whole society has become paranoid that the youth is not getting noticed. It is definitely not that "children should be seen and not heard". Society has 'achieved' (through a long and very unwelcome process) the opposite. It is all about who is younger, faster, and more 'entitled'. I know it may sound harsh, and I hope I am wrong, but I worry, especially for my grandchildren.

Dan Rather made a point about news programming and how it has changed. He stated that people are more interested in a news item about Paris Hilton, than a serious report about something happening in Paris, France. I can guarantee you that if you ask many (and I mean, many) Americans, "where is Paris?", they will not only think that you are talking about a so-called celebrity, but they will not know that it is in Europe -(a funny aside - I actually saw a video recently where a reporter asked what the 4th of July meant? - many Americans answered, "it's just a holiday" but didn't know why it was celebrated). Seriously????



Holden & Lily


One of the reasons that I loved my 'story', As The World Turns, is because that particular serial drama was always able to respect and honour the younger generation with poignant, realistic storylines that can stand the test of time and is not representative of the current 'dumbing down' of America and society itself. I could never imagine Luke being rude to his grandmother or Liberty disrespecting her professor. Even Holden would never have dreamed of being disrespectful to his employer. Addressing Miss Lily Walsh as "Ma'am" was and is the polite manner of speaking.


The best way I can highlight the changes (for the better or worse) with the portrayal of the younger characters on As The World over the last 25 years, revolve around the introduction of the Snyder family and the issues and problems with the siblings and their offspring. Whether it was Lily's snobbish attitude when first meeting the 'dumb' (as she called him) stable boy, Holden or Luke's reluctance to talk to his parents about his sexuality and bullying, there were many times that family relationships took precedent over glossing over the feelings of the children of the families of Oakdale. I must say that the one time that I was completely disinterested and actually unimpressed in a storyline, was when  the 'slasher' episodes of a  few summers ago were shown. That was just silliness and not at all 'in tune' with the flow and history of the show. Other than that, I never had any issues wit the way the younger generation was portrayed.


Jennifer Landon (Gwen),Colleen Zenk
(hiding in the corner as 'snoopy' Mom in law
 and Marnie Schulenberg (Allison)


For the most part, children and adolescents, their feelings, concerns and issues have been adequately to well portrayed on ATWT. The stories have been empathetic, relevant; and proved that, when there is a strong family support system (like the Snyder parents), young people 'matter' but are also not necessarily 'entitled' unnecessarily. Teenage pregnancy, dealing with cancer, grief over the loss of a family member, bullying, gambling, drug addiction and alcoholism, homosexuality, mental illness, incest and sexuality have been handled in a mature, compassionate manner on ATWT.

There is no comparison when it comes to how societal  issues that affect young people are shown on a serial drama, and what the new reality shows can even hope to deal with. As far as I am concerned, I would much rather watch a continuing scripted drama of a young man like Parker Snyder (who has to come to terms with his feelings for a young woman who is conflicted about love, sex, pregnancy, parentage, young marriage, career goals, loss of a father, birth of a sibling and of course, fear of death from cancer), than listen to a ten minute discussion on some talk or reality show.



Martha Byrne and Jon Hensley

Of course, there is no talking about As The World Turns and 'young' people and their problems, without highlighting the ultimate teenage super couple that made the transition from adolescence into adulthood and parenthood. It was the superb insight of Douglas Marland and the portrayal of Lily and Holden by the phenomenal, Martha Byrne and Jon Hensley that 'made' ATWT a favourite for viewers of every age. Here is the first meeting of Lily and Holden in October 1985. Lily acts very superior and doesn't like Holden's attitude.

It was a bit of a surprise to me when I saw Emma's attitude when Meg came home in 1986. I know that Meg was sent away to live with other relatives because the family couldn't afford to keep her at the farm, but it just seemed a bit too unconventional for even 1986.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKci4yJctv8



Jon Hensley

Here is a compilation of short clips from 1985 -1988 about the 'on again- off again' relationship between Lily & Holden. So many feelings showed how they matured and dealt with trust, other relationships and their interpretations of not only how things should be but the reality of the situations.



Martha Byrne

In 1987 Lucinda tried to convince Lily that Holden was no good and that he was just after her money. Lily didn't want to  believe her mother and was not willing to accept that Holden might have had ulterior motives for 'loving' her. It is sad to see how Lucinda could manipulate Lily's feelings and make the young girl even more conflicted. A lot of Lily's insecurities were a direct result of Lucinda's controlling manipulation of her daughter's feelings.





Van Hansis as Luke Snyder

Luke 'came out' to Holden and Lily by revealing how he had pretended to be involved with Jade, so that his parents wouldn't be disappointed in him. Lily was upset because Luke had lied. Holden didn't know how he could, on the one hand support his son's choice, and on the other hand, understand the anguish of Luke's feelings. It is always hard for a parent to be able to deal with issues that are so personal and conflicted. Holden was able to show his concern because he had already wondered about Luke's true feelings; but Lily was not accepting at first, mainly because Luke had not been honest and trusting that his mother would understand him. After this, Lily had more problems accepting the future and was even convinced by Damian to try to 'change' Luke. After a while, everything fell into place and Holden and Lily embraced Luke's decision and also supported both Noah and Reid's involvement with their son.



Marie Wilson as Meg

While Lily was dealing with her own 'ghosts', 'skeletons' and insecurities, turning to a diet pill addiction, she and Holden were also confronted with Faith's adolescent 'angst' and subsequent substance abuse. Although both Emma and Lucinda took a 'back-seat' when it came to their involvement with the grandchildren, it was always understood that their presence was there and would be counted if matters dictated their involvement. It was always felt that the family would be there in a crisis. This was also seen when Meg was in turmoil with Paul and Damian and her precious baby. Emma was there to take care of her 'damaged' daughter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaRxx0oY7rM&list=FLUututYgHm2smw14DmdqpiQ&index=1&feature=plpp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruUAZj6dMFA&feature=related

Carly and her son, Parker

Over the last ten years, As The World Turns turned it's attention to several of the families to show how the 'world turns' also with the cycle of life. There were births, deaths and an inter-generational family support. As in the '80's where the teen aged stories involving Frannie, Marci, and Kirk were highlighted, so now was a new crop of young people dealing with pregnancy, school, new love, sexuality and money problems. Most were also involved either directly or indirectly in the problems of their parents' divorces and new relationships. As in real life, the family dynamic was changing. The younger generation was given more responsibility, independence; and seemed to pull away from their situations and circumstances at home. There was lack of communication, trust and acceptance of other people and points of view. Advice from parents and grandparents was often not as valued or sought out as it used to be, perhaps because of this separation of the core units into many different family models. It was the same, but different (if that makes sense).



Casey, Maddie,
Gwen & Will

Although it wasn't the Snyders, Will Munson also had his share of problems as he was growing into maturity. It started with his breakdown (when he wanted to hurt Rose and killed her with poison to keep her away from his brother) and continued when he got together with Casey, Maddie and Gwen. Gwen & Will. Gwen was a girl from the wrong side of the tracks got involved with an irresponsible, Casey and became pregnant. When Gwen found Will, it was as f they were meant for one another. And they both turned their lives around in a positive way, but not without a lot life experiences and trauma along the way.

Similarly, Maddie, Henry's sister flittered with several relationships and school friends before she settled into her own niche. Casey, on the other hand, never really seemed to fit in until he had settled his gambling problem and had some time in jail. Even then he had a problem with committing to a relationship with Allison because he was afraid of past feelings that she had with several different men (including his uncle, Chris).



Parker kisses a reluctant Liberty



In the last couple of years the children of Carly and Jack were torn between their parents and other families, thinking that Carly was dying, believing that Jack was dead and other family traumas that young people have to cope with before they are really ready. After getting married much too young in order to get money from his inheritance the relationship is strained between Parker and Liberty ; and although they try to be cordial, they are uncomfortable around each other . The video below also shows how the Snyder children are told that Holden had died. Dealing with the death of a parent is perhaps the hardest trial a child has to endure.

Finally, I would like to conclude this particular blog about the younger generation with a hope for the future. I see the hope exemplified in the young actors who have expertly portrayed these roles for quite a while. Martha Byrne, Jon Hensley, Julianne Moore and Meg Ryan grew up on As The World Turns. It is a testament to their abilities as consummate actors to make the viewer believe that these characters were real. Van Hansis, Jake Silbermann, Billy Magnussen, Jesse Sofer, Mick Hazen, Jennifer Landon, Alexandra Chandro and Meredith Hagner prove their their acting skills not only determine the roles they played but also will ensure great futures in whatever they choose as careers (acting or otherwise). Bravo for showing realistic 'portraits' of the younger generation past and present. Based upon what the history has shown, the long-time viewer of ATWT, know that these young people will have not only a bright 'real' future but would also have had a bright 'reel' future.

 

FOR SOMETHING UNRELATED TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION BUT RELATED TO THE GENERAL THEME OF EXPERIENCING LIFE IN TODAY'S GENERATION, I CONCUR WITH THE THEME PRESENTED -  AS AN OLD GRANNY, I URGE THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE NOTE:

An Obituary printed in the London Times.....Absolutely Brilliant !!!
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend,   Common Sense , who has been with us for many years.

No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.
 
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.

Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
 
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
 
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
 
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
 
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
 
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim
 
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

If you still remember him, pass this on.

If not, join the majority and do nothing.  

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