Just a little observation

[castaway]

Last weekend my neighbour and I took our youngest kids up to the Model Engineering Exhibition at Wembley.

Last time I was there was as a teenager, 30yrs back, when we flew and built RC and control line model 'planes and learnt about practical science and engineering.

I was amazed to find that our kids were just about the only people under the age of 45 in the hall!!

Great shame this.. In our area there are no model shops and the model clubs are all populated by over 40s

I guess that maybe all the kids are at home waiting for the next round of fasinating polywhatsit ringtones to come out to amaze their mates with.

Just taken the same kid to the GP (re tonsils) and he tells me there is a great swathe (sp?) of teenage depression across the country. V sad IMHO

Roll on summer!!

Regards Nick

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather>http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather</A>




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[mickshep]

Just look at the way kids T.V programing has changed, When I was watching them they were informative and educational but still fun These days it all seems to be about cartoons or kids throwing buckets of slimey sh*t at each other, As for the Tweenies, I'd like to spray them with an inflammable liquid and set light to them. My friends toddler watched them all the time and started making bleeding La La noises instead of talking. No wonder kids have trouble getting motivated these days. Dumbing down just isn't in it. Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>"Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me."

 

[Peppermint]

Re: Filling a void..

..has created a void. The loss of manufacturing engineering based jobs from the economy has created the need for outlets for hands on engineers. The model world is that place. So the older guys fill the model clubs and the youngsters loose an outlet.

Still if you want a model these days you don't have to cut your balsa or dope your fabric (and yourself). You just buy one ready made. Of course the attract wears of pretty quick.

Those older guys do do some exquisit engineering though.

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[beancounter]

Maybe if more youngsters were taken to such events by their parents, this support would spark more of an interest. If, on the other hand, parents are happy to let the TV or PS2 act as a babysitter for their kids, then the "couch potato" generation will increase.

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[celandine]

Nick

Sad to say, I can only bear out your observations. 30 years ago the sea wall at the back of where I live was mainly frequented by kids. They climbed trees; mucked about in the mud; made camps etc. Now you only see middle-aged couples and joggers, with just the occasional kid intent on some mindless vandalism. I was interested in your gp's comment about depression in the young and am reminded of some recent research that suggests that obesity is becoming such a health problem amount the young, that we may be bringing up a generation so unhealthy that many of them will not outlive their parents.

Mick

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