Their Grandparents can remember the Second World War, their parents Vietnam. But they had no cause until Now.
It's 100 years since their great-grandmothers won the right to vote, none of them are excited abut getting their first polling slip, and they consider a career in politics or the armed forces less worthwhile then peeling potatoes. To them South Africa means Nelson Mandela and not apartheid, Their Grandparents can remember the Second World War, their parents Vietnam. But they had no cause until Now.

This week has seen hundreds of young people line the street of the country in anti-war demonstration, some even skipping schools and college to speak passionately about their beliefs. Have we woken up this sleeping generation?

Recently in the daily telegraph Alice Thomson reported on the fact that the war has woken up the young generations and I thought at this crucial stage I would share some of this article with you.

"We're the zzzzz generation, nothing has happened to us. People don't have enough time to help each other now it's all about being successful," says 15-year-old Alice.

"Our Vietnam-generation parents never gave us guns to play with, being a vegetarian is one of the few ways we can make a stand," says Anabel, 17.

"Politics isn't interesting any more. It used to be polarised; now, all politicians say the same thing. Life's so dull. There is no real leadership, just lies. We're very self interested. The biggest thing that has happened in any of our lives is personal, rather than world events," " says Alexis, 18

"We take a lot for granted, and we are obsessed with the little things, like how much we weigh and what we look like." Teresa, 17.

"Saddam said the last war would be the Mother of all wars, but it lasted only, like three days. America and Britain will just knock the hell out of them," says 15-year-old Jack.

"I'm frightened that it could escalate into an East-West war and last 30 years. It will be our generation that will have to pick up the pieces," says Joe, 18.

There is no doubt that on September 11th 2001, this generation began to wake up.

"The IRA were not bogeyman to us. Now, the debris of September 11 has frightened me. Every time a suicide bomb goes off in Jerusalem, there is always someone in our community who knows someone who has been injured," says Natali, 16.

"Its definitely changed peoples perception of me. My friends don't care I'm Muslim but I get hassled on the street," says Oman, 18.

"My initial reaction to September 11th was that it was horrific. But now I realise the bitterness that people in the Middle East feel towards us in the west. We need to address their hatred to make things better," says Anabel.

So are we seeing a generations who were previously self obsessed gathering together as a collective to speak out for their beliefs, whether they be for or against the war? Do they suddenly feel threatened, as their futures are uncertain? Are they aware, as Joe mentioned, that it will be their generation left to pick up the pieces in years to come? They all voice concerns about adults not speaking to them about this situation, assuming they are too young to care, with all stating that there had not even been discussions in their schools. Have we finally woken the sleeping giants and put passion in their bellies? Whatever effect this war will have on our young people will not be known for some time, but perhaps as a nation we should be listening to them, hearing their wishes and concerns and preparing them for something that they have never seen before - a world full of uncertainty where the collective is far more important then the individual.

Our love and support goes out to all those soldiers, sailors and airmen in the Gulf and all the families and friends back home. God speed.

About the Author

Sarah Newton founded Coaching 4 Teens in 2002. She quickly built a reputation for delivering quality coaching that produced quick results. She was among the first eight people to be trained in the Parent as Coach approach. To this approach Sarah brings her own experiences of working with teenagers for four years training them in such topics as crime, drugs, safety and citizenship.