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Emily Whitney

Highschool Student,

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How can young America make a difference?

With the role of children and teenagers set up into a consistent apprenticeship of watching and learning from the adults around them it's a lot harder to make a difference and for their ideas and voices to be heard. Personally, as a member of younger America, I have missed out on many wonderful opportunities due to the fact that I am 14. I must wait to mature before I can contribute ideas alongside adults and be taken completely seriously. I believe maturity does not come with age but with mind. I just wonder if there is a proper way for a "child" to pursue their dreams early without the, say, plus 20 years of experience, work, and university. Just a thought! Thank you so much for your time!

Topics: TED Young america change children freedom future teen work
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    Debra Smith 200+

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    Aug 19 2012: YOU had my interest and support until I read this:

    "With the role of children and teenagers set up into a consistent apprenticeship of watching and learning from the adults around them it's a lot harder to make a difference and for their ideas and voices to be heard"

    Can you think of a SINGLE generation that did not come up the same way? They made a difference, didn't they and many of them did not have the advantages this generation enjoys.

    • Emily Whitney

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      Aug 19 2012: Thank you very much! That's very true, my generation is very lucky to have all of the technological and social allowances. Good point!

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