Why Today's Teens Have it Harder Than Their Parents Did

We've all heard stories of how older folks always had things harder than their kids: the latest modern generation. I disagree. When it comes to dating, today's teenagers are at a distinct disadvantage from their parental counterparts. If you don't agree, then read on.

One thing the parents' generation had that is denied today's teen is anonymity. The parents had the social advantage of the blind date, having dated before computers and facebook became commonplace. Your best friend would snare some unsuspecting date material (hereafter referred to as the poor unsuspecting soul) and state your case. If said soul was a blood relative of your best friend, coercion and blackmail could be used. "You'll take Sue to the dance, or I'll tell Mom what really happened to her new lamp. Besides, she has a great personality." Unfortunately for today's teen, if you're an ugly duckling, you can't conceal that fact when potential dates browse your facebook photos, no matter how nice your personality really is or how much your best friend lies.

Cost is another obvious disadvantage to the teens of today. While adults look back on dating days when ten dollars bought movie tickets, drinks and popcorn, today's teens can't buy enough gas at that price to drive to the mall, let alone date. Even with a job at the local fast food emporium, saving enough bucks for hot jeans, cool tee shirts, a cell phone and a date with Billy Jean is rough on any teen. "Yeah, Billy Jean's all that, but I got to pay my car insurance this week and next week that new xbox game comes out so I'll be tapped out cash wise". So much for young love.

Kids today have a harder time shocking their parents with a potential date. In mom and pop's dating days, you could always bring home a hippie, a communist or even (gasp!!!) a person of another race (any other race at all) and guarantee the old folks would hit the roof. Today's teen has absolutely nothing they can bring home that the parents haven't heard about or seen on a reality tv show. How do you shock someone who lived through Ozzy Osborne, Boy George and Michael Jackson? Get real now.

Then there's the youtube.com factor. Do something stupid in the old days, and you became the scourge of your block for a couple of weeks, until the next stupid kid came along. Do something sufficiently stupid now and your lack of smarts will be forever enshrined on the internet for all the world to see from now to infinity. Or until the parents quit viewing the video.