The latest report from the military services is a real shocker: 75% of our youth today is unfit for military service. That percentage surprised me, as I would have thought the estimate to be in the 50+% range.
TOO FAT: The diet of the average American family has been the target of nutritionists for some time---adults and kids with too much junk food, too many empty calories, too much fat. I remember being resentful but understanding on a bus tour in New Zealand ten years or more ago when the bus driver, as part of his running commentary, announced as we passed a McDonald’s, “Ladies and Gentlemen, the American Embassy!”
TOO DUMB: Educators have been concerned for some time with the dumbing down of educational standards in an effort to mass-educate our youth. Quantity, not quality, becomes the hallmark of many schools. Drop-outs are still prevalent; “babysitting” classrooms where students simply occupy space too frequent. Lack of funds doesn’t help, as well.
TOO LAZY: How many kids stay active in sports? How many play outside? How many are obsessed with their video/computer games? Virtual physical reality replaces actual physical activity. I know that the computer is an essential part of the military today---but you still have to fight your enemies and you better be in better or as good shape as they.
TOO UNLOVED: Another problem for kids today is lack of family time and family values. Some of this problem can be related to the economic conditions of today where both parents are scrabbling for a living, and not much time remains to nurture family values. Some of the problem, unfortunately, can be ascribed to parents who shouldn’t be parents, who just can’t be bothered with their damned nuisance kids.
It is time for concern. The future of our country will someday be in the hands of this youth, and, if three out of four are in bad shape physically, mentally and spiritually, then we will have a far bigger problem.
Shape up or ship out, America!
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