Are we failing to teach our children to love their country and respect those that came before?

"Kids" love of country and respect for those who came before...hmm. I too have heard that what today's youth lacks in patriotism, they make up for in self-satisfaction. Lots of moving parts there. Allow me to diagram my thoughts (in no particular order):

1. We've always been a bit of an immediate gratification and youth oriented culture, but I do think it’s become more acute in recent years. Tied into this, a growing narcissistic, reality TV, everyone’s a YouTube star, selfie-taking, "MORE ME NOW!" mentality. It’s not too hard to see that anything that isn’t about or doesn't benefit the self, here & now, isn't important; particularly to the young.
2. The major sources of education for youth outside of the family--formal education and Hollywood--have taken a dimmer view of American exceptionalism, and embraced more of a "world citizen", “everyone gets a trophy”, “no one is better than anyone else” point-of-view.
3. Patriotism and civic duty isn’t taught these days; moreover, “patriotism” is more cliché or a punch line in our popular culture. Not helpful for fostering love of country, but fascinating to watch collectivist thinking (point 2) and narcissistic attitude (point 1) coexist in the same generation of people.
4. When thinking IN GENERAL of American youth’s world view, if all one's troubles have only been of the "1st world problem" variety, and are so accustomed to getting everything that’s needed, if not everything that’s wanted, then what is there to be grateful for? This lifestyle is to be expected. Entitlement requires no gratitude.
5. The past and those who paved the way for today are simply the past; out of sight, out of mind. Besides…youth culture, remember?

It sure starts to sound like a "Git off m-lawn ye dang kids!" kind of argument made by old people. It is. That doesn’t mean there isn’t validity to it. Still, all is not lost.

First, a lot of these things could be said of the youth from my generation, and generations before; at least to some extent. So this is NOT just a Millennial issue, and if it were, just remember it was Gen X and the Baby Boomers who raised them-raise your hand if YOU want to take responsibility for them. I do think much of this is simply a product of being American youth, and the Millennials and post Millennial generations are a big ol' group of "youth". "Kids", the Millennials and post Millennials may have raised the bar on lack of respect and self-interest, but as they mature, I suspect it will get better-to what extent I don't know, but better is better. Love of country and respect for others isn't dead...maybe just resting at the moment.

It is an unfortunate sign of the "PC" times we live in right now. I teach my preschool grandkids to say "God Bless Ameria !" along with the 4th of July Uncle Sam flag waving doll. The doll was a joke gift from my friend that has become a big hit with my two grandkids.

Back to the classroom I think that all should stand and face the flag and then those who say they are Americans should say the pledge. We said it every day and i turned out just fine.

Hey, don't get me started on how terribly kids are at writing anything now days. Enough said! AJ

Where and what school? I got some choice words for that schools administrators!

Education not only begins at home but in the classroom as well. What I think the real issue is, is political correctness. Too many liberals whining "it's offensive to other cultures who aren't American citizens, and their feelings are more important than ours."

I think its more of a case that our leaders are giving us less to respect. For example, how can we proud Americans if we cant get a job because our president gives them to illegals!

I'll bet if the teacher asked tomorrow, there would be more participants.

COL Burroughs pretty much nailed it.

I think people think if they do that it would not look pc to others. People are afraid of look bad,and afraid of what others think. They also think it's some one elsa job to teach these thing to their own childen and not be reasonable for these qualities to be instilled in them by thier own examples

There's a lot of things that future generations are failing to be educated on, by family.

In Kansas, they are trying to work in things like responsibility for employment and timliness. The things a parent should be teaching their children to prepare them from the real world after school. And that's a disgusting thought for me.

When did this become an option? I don't think it is too much to ask that American Citizens stand up and recite the pledge of allegiance.