Social Skills of Teens and 20-somethings

They have no social skills. Period.  Why? Simple when the first started going to school or started going away to daycare, Mommy and Daddy were feeling separation anxiety.

It’s a very real thing, but the problem is that little Johnny and Janie were feeling the same thing and at some point they started feeding off of each other.

Then when they finally got into school, as young as 3^rd grade, Mommy and/or Daddy insisted that Johnny or Janie (or both) had phones so that any time they felt afraid, or nervous or ANY other slightly uncomfortable feeling, the kid could pick up his phone and call Mommy or Daddy.  Perfectly normal behavior, right ? 

NO. NOT IN THE LEAST. Let me explain. The child is supposed to be focused and present, (not just physically) but mentally present in class. If he’s dealing with Mommy, the teacher cannot help him/her. So, yes, that’s a problem.

The other thing about phones, it allows kids/teens/adults to disconnect with other people and just, well, not have to deal with them. Hmm.  Let’s let that simmer for a few minutes.

So, if Mommy or Daddy allows their little prince, or princess, to NEVER have to talk to another person, what will the outcome be?  Hmm.

A touch of sarcasm in there, but no, not really. That’s reality we’re in now where young people, frightened, scared and confused, don’t know how to deal with other people, mostly other adults of ANY age.  Are those feelings valid? No.  Not when the other person simply wants to ask simple questions like directions, time of day, basic stuff.

Finger pointing ==>> Mommy and Daddy allowing that behavior by giving the kid a phone, with NO restrictions and NEVER monitoring what they’re doing.

So, basically, YES, very socially awkward, low functioning adults.  Sometimes of course you can call your parent(s) and ask for advice, but other times, MOST OF THE TIME you DO need to deal with things on your own, by yourself, because you’re an adult.

The decision making gets easier, but you have to take that first step and TRY.

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Oh, and while we’re at it, when someone takes the time to say, “Thank you,” the correct and appropriate response, and there is ONLY one correct and appropriate response, you say in return, “You’re welcome,”  NOT “No problem.”  (I know, I know… that’s not gonna happen.)