It’s all too easy to look at young people and complain that they lack the basic manners that were considered commonplace just a generation or two ago. A recent encounter, however, suggests we have good reason to believe our youth will rise to the occasion, if we only ask them to do so.

 

I reached this conclusion after an encounter on a NYC sidewalk earlier this week.  Mid-afternoon a local junior high school closed for the day, and the newly released students emptied into a nearby sidewalk. Once there, they did what teenagers are prone to do: They gathered in clusters; talked animatedly about their day; and engaged in a little friendly rough-housing.

 

I navigated my way through a group of 20 or more students. After doing so, I looked behind me and noticed an elderly man, a resident of my apartment building, and his nurse. More than a year ago, this man had suffered a stroke. He now moves rather slowly, with the aid of a walker.  At the moment I saw him, he appeared to be approaching the group of teen-agers with more than a little trepidation.

 

As I watched this scene unfold, I turned to the group of teenagers and quietly said, “Why don’t you guys move toward the curb so this older gentleman can get through.” Immediately, three young women looked over their group and saw the elderly gentleman. They then sprang into action. Without hesitation, they told their peers to clear the sidewalk. When one young man started to wander, one of the young women grabbed his sweatshirt and pulled him back into line.

 

It was a perfect example of young people becoming aware of a situation and then rising to the occasion.

 

Are all teen-agers equally responsive and respective? Probably not. This week’s encounter, however, suggests that just maybe we adults have failed to set and communicate high enough expectations. On this occasion, when I asked for good behavior, the younger generation responded. My suspicion is they’ll respond favorably to other requests, too.

 

 

P.S.  Happy Mother’s Day, Mum Jones!