Today's youth... What is the problem?

[RestlessSoul]

A tape measure is simple math/fractions. Many kids are lost at even reading a tape measure.
They used to use rulers in school(could be similar to a tape measure) but not so much any more.

On the other hand, youngsters master tech much faster than us old gits. Bought an air fryer for my mum at the weekend, we were both baffled by the digital display; my nephew had it up and running in seconds. I'm really not comfortable with digital technology, even though I'm using it now, of course.

 

[We Never Know]

On the other hand, youngsters master tech much faster than us old gits. Bought an air fryer for my mum at the weekend, we were both baffled by the digital display; my nephew had it up and running in seconds. I'm really not comfortable with digital technology, even though I'm using it now, of course.

I still catch on to it all quite fast. Air fryer I bought 2 years ago I was cooking meals in it the same night. Instapot, the same.

 

[Estro Felino]

Must be in your country. Here in the US we still have the penny, nickle, dime, quarter, half dollar and dollar coins.

The nice thing is that you can recognize the origin of the coin from the picture.
There are German eurocents, French eurocents, Spanish eurocents.

 

[Mock Turtle]

As someone who went through the whole of education minus any calculators (although with a slide-rule later), but with the times table forced into our heads, such basic arithmetic has remained as still fully functioning. So I suspect that the use of calculators and/or computers has made mental arithmetic being less likely for many these days. But, like all change, the older generations will find as much fault in those younger as the young find in those older. Not much has changed in this regard I suspect.

I usually pay by a contactless debit card for most things these days - being most convenient - although I still carry cash, and have had to use such when the technology fails occasionally. I can also pay by mobile phone. Being an ex-engineer, and having worked with computers (from the 1980s) I don't have much difficulty with new tech - even if I'm often not that fond of how they do things these days (Menu systems) - but one strives to keep up with the times.

P.S. And because things have changed so much over the decades, I usually read any supplied manual to find out any quirks. Like for example, having a limited number of folders and/or files and only playing certain file types in a USB stick plugged into a HiFi system. And not having a manual for an Android phone was not a nice experience, especially when the phone was not a popular one - but I have finally conquered it.

 

[Secret Chief]

Today I stopped at a taco bell. My order came to $19.60.
I gave the girl(looked around age 20) $20.10. She pulls out a dollar and some change then counts on her fingers...
She puts it back, counts on her fingers again and pulls out more change..
She puts it back, goes into deep thought so I said "$19.60, I gave you $20.10 so my change is $.50 cents".
She pulls out some more change, counts on her fingers again and gives me $.45 cents. I just laughed and said thanks.

My point... This has happened many times at different places. These are the kids that are being raised now days. They can't think and many don't have common sense. Sadly its getting worse instead of better.

Yes, and some don't even seem to understand basic science. And what's worse it goes on into adulthood.

 

[Secret Chief]

I work in a high school. A lot of kids don't know how to do simple arithmetic. What is 6 x 12? No idea. Why? Because they use their calculator (often on their phone, which they are surgically attached to) for ALL sums. The teaching of times tables is still done in primary schools but the kids are not motivated.

I'm quite new to the job so another rather startling discovery is that it is not all kids can read the time from an analogue watch. Why? Because they mostly see time on digital devices. Two little metal fingers circling round a disc...means nothing....

 

[We Never Know]

I work in a high school. A lot of kids don't know how to do simple arithmetic. What is 6 x 12? No idea. Why? Because they use their calculator (often on their phone, which they are surgically attached to) for ALL sums. The teaching of times tables is still done in primary schools but the kids are not motivated.

I'm quite new to the job so another rather startling discovery is that it is not all kids can read the time from an analogue watch. Why? Because they see mostly see time on digital devices. Two little metal fingers circling round a disc...means nothing....

And as sad is it is(to me), its becoming the norm

 

[Secret Chief]

As someone who went through the whole of education minus any calculators (although with a slide-rule later), but with the times table forced into our heads, such basic arithmetic has remained as still fully functioning. So I suspect that the use of calculators and/or computers has made mental arithmetic being less likely for many these days. But, like all change, the older generations will find as much fault in those younger as the young find in those older. Not much has changed in this regard I suspect.

I usually pay by a contactless debit card for most things these days - being most convenient - although I still carry cash, and have had to use such when the technology fails occasionally. I can also pay by mobile phone. Being an ex-engineer, and having worked with computers (from the 1980s) I don't have much difficulty with new tech - even if I'm often not that fond of how they do things these days (Menu systems) - but one strives to keep up with the times.

I'm looking forward to car parks not accepting cash...and you need your phone on you....because you need an app to pay...no not that app for this car park, this one is different....oh you've got no signal...oh yes I have...oh what's my password...

Similarly I recently bought a ticket for a concert on my phone...no paper tickets...thankfully I do have a phone...my ticket won't load so you won't let me in?....my email isn't acceptable?...but I've paid....oh I'm going home....a parking ticket....wtf?

It's just going to get better...

Grump over.

 

[SomeRandom]

Damned kids!!!
Back in my day, we had good old fashioned fun. Not like today! With their iPhones and their Xboxes!!
We know how to have fun without such stupid contraptions, damnit!!!!




(Sorry. Couldn’t resist lol)

 

[Secret Chief]

And as sad is it is(to me), its becoming the norm

It is. The first kid that asked me the time at school...I showed him my analogue watch. He looked at me like I was showing him a photo of a goat.

 

[Secret Chief]

Damned kids!!!
Back in my day, we had good old fashioned fun. Not like today! With their iPhones and their Xboxes!!
We know how to have fun without such stupid contraptions, damnit!!!!




(Sorry. Couldn’t resist lol)

The height of sophistication was going to the local flooded quarry to catch newts.

 

[Hockeycowboy]

Some people are naturally better at maths. People rarely use cash these days so no practise. I don't think it's a youth problem.

“No practice”… you may have a point.

I was just telling my wife, “I used to know so many phone numbers, but now, we all have cell phones. I just need to know their name, and the cell phone calls the number I put a name with.”

The ease of convenience, is making us physically and mentally lazy.

 

[Secret Chief]

On the other hand, youngsters master tech much faster than us old gits. Bought an air fryer for my mum at the weekend, we were both baffled by the digital display; my nephew had it up and running in seconds. I'm really not comfortable with digital technology, even though I'm using it now, of course.

I agree. We moved to a new house recently; new washer, new dryer, new boiler, new thermostats, new cooker...

We need a new iron. It'll probably stay in the box till my 6 year old niece comes round and explains it to me. And as for getting a new car...

Diogenes had it right...

 

[We Never Know]

“No practice”… you may have a point.

I was just telling my wife, “I used to know so many phone numbers, but now, we all have cell phones. I just need to know their name, and the cell phone calls the number I put a name with.

The ease of convenience, is making us physically and mentally lazy.

Exactly! I used to remember phones numbers. Now I just pull them up in my contacts. No need to remember.

 

[Hockeycowboy]

When I was in school all math was done on paper(show your work) and some had to be done in your head. Calculators were a no-no.

Watch out, you’re giving away your age!

 

[Secret Chief]

Exactly! I used to remember phones numbers. Now I just pull them up in my contacts. No need to remember.

A bit like sums

 

[Hockeycowboy]

Watch out, you’re giving away your age!

I remember when calculators were clunkers and costly!
Now they’re “two for a dolla”.

Now I’m giving away my age.

 

[Hermit Philosopher]

If a person can't figure out $.50 change, it isnt bias. Especially when told its $.50 cents and after counting on their fingers they only give you $.45 lol

I think they were referring to one’s idea of X being worse now than before.

Humbly,
Hermit

 

[Augustus]

This has been studied:

Who Denigrates Today’s Youth?: The Role of Age, Implicit Theories, and Sharing the Same Negative Trait​

Adults perceive the youth of the present as being worse than from when they were young.

Summed up quite pithily “the older I get, the better I was”

 

[Jedster]

There are also endless web pages saying the same thing. Three examples:

The 2,500-Year-Old History of Adults Blaming the Younger Generation​

People have always whinged about young adults. Here's proof​

Why Older People Have Always Trashed Young People​

Indeed