Each October the last seven years, I've had the privilege of interviewing outstanding young men and women in the Chattanooga area who are candidates for the United States military academies. Each year they are more competitive with higher standardized test scores, grade point averages, sports and academic honors, and more community service. I am humbled by the desire of such capable young citizens to serve our country.
However, this year, it was not only the higher level of competition that impressed me, it was also the willingness and even eagerness with which many candidates, unsolicited, discussed their faith in God and the role that faith played in pushing themselves to be their best and to serve their fellowmen.
It struck me that these young people were not concerned about political correctness when discussing their faith, and I found it wonderfully refreshing. I could have been atheist, Jewish, or nature worshipper for all they knew, yet they articulated their dedication to their Christian faith without hesitation to me, an unknown interviewer whose inputs could affect the rest of their lives. They were not offensive, just unashamedly honest. I was humbled by their sincerity and reminded of Wordsworth's, "The child is the father of the man."
It made me want to learn more about this new generation of Americans, because my sample was relatively small. Here are some interesting facts.
According to a Department of Health and Human Services survey released in September of 70,000 Americans, age 12 to 17: regular alcohol use among teens dropped from 17.6 percent in 2002 to 11.6 percent in 2013; and cigarette smoking has dropped by half in the same 10-year period.
Another interesting fact is the shift in political inclinations. Harvard University's Institute of Politics surveyed more than 2,000 18-to-29-year-olds in September and October. The youth of America overwhelmingly supported the Democratic Party in the last two presidential elections (65 percent versus 35 percent), but today they prefer a Republican-controlled Congress by 51 percent to 47 percent. Poll director John Della Volpe points out the youth are not as tied to a single political party as their parents and tend to be more concerned about issues that directly impact their lives such as terrorism, unemployment, and health care.
A fascinating display of the changes in young folk's attitudes also occurred last week in our own city and was chronicled in this paper. In response to the increase in gang-related murders and other crime, Rev. Kevin Adams hosted a meeting of gang members and community leaders at a local church. The gang members were asked to discuss how to reduce the violence in inner city neighborhoods. One young man pointed out the need for better jobs. Another discussed the need for better education and training. What wasn't chronicled was a third gang member's acknowledgement that while those things are important, what they really need in their community is Jesus. Wow! Our youth realize that government social programs help, but true change of character comes only from a force bigger than ourselves. We should rejoice that truth has won. I hope our churches are listening.
I suppose every generation worries that the next generation is not up to their standards. Mark Twain once quipped humorously, "When a boy turns thirteen, you should put him into a barrel and feed him through a knot hole. When he turns sixteen, plug the knot hole!" Fortunately, parents today aren't forced to rely on such drastic measures. Our young people are independently-minded, smart, ambitious, capable, and hopeful. They will be fine. But I'm sure concerned about the mess we are leaving them. They have a lot to teach us.
Roger Smith lives in Soddy-Daisy and is a frequent contributor to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. He is author of "American Spirit."