OVERVIEW

Someone asked me where I see young people in 1999. I was immediately reminded of the old song by the artist formerly known as Prince: "Tonight we’re going to party like it’s 1999." (from the album, "1999") And the song by Styx, "Living on the Edge of the Century." A couple of its lines (not in order):

We’re headed for the end of something...

Just about to step across the line...

Look out now ‘cause the future’s here...

We’re living at the edge of the century.

The world, pop culture, and kids will have to be affected by the turn of the millennium...at the end of 1999—and more exactly at the end of 2000. There’s bound to be some fear and craziness.

Several keen observers of youth say we are confronted today, not so much by a generation gap (as in Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y), as in a cultural gap. In regards to politics, education, and the church, there seems to be striking differences in cultural styles. I agree and think postmodernity is a real part of the situation. Several books like Jonathon Epstein’s 1998 Youth Culture: Identity in a Postmodern World, and Jimmy Long’s 1997 Generating Hope: A Strategy for Reaching the Postmodern Generation, have come out implying that more important than the generation gap between Generation X and the Boomers is the cultural gap between modernity and postmodernity.

The long-lasting examination and impeachment trial of President Clinton seems to represent something of the cultural tension affecting young people and all of us today. Clinton is seen by many as a postmodern and a personally flawed figure with some high social ideals—which happen to be rather liberal. For years he has been opposed (and hated obsessively) by some older mostly white, male, southerners who are builders and boomers anchored to modernity. Their personal crusade to get rid of the their unsavory leader at any cost represents a deep sense that theirs is a crusade to purge society of an insidious virus. Behind all this is a cultural war and critical clash between modernity and postmodernity...which should show us the flaws in each. In this scenario Republicans in Congress represent modernity; Clinton postmodernity.

So what are kids to do? Clinton is the clear and attractive choice—except for those who would join a middle-class moral reaction. Unattractive truth or more palatable moral turpitude? Truth and morality seem to have failed us in all this. If "they" have the truth, it is certainly contentious, vindictive, and costly. And that kind of truth keeps us from more pressing, practical truths like what to do about people dying in Kosovo and inner cities.

All this must be somewhat bothering to idealistic young people. A confusion seems to have taken the land—moral and epistemological confusion. In the absolutely crucial social matters regarding what is really right and what is really true, we adults seem sadly and pathetically bewildered. Young people deserve and want something better...in us if not immediately for themselves. There are signs of a new generation moving beyond Washington and the whole adult mess to pave new ways. We must watch them, listen, and learn.

Some young people, beginning in Australia five years ago, have been telling me their favorite program is "The X-Files." And it begins each week: "The truth is out there!" That’s also what Ellie came to believe by the end of the movie, "Contact." And for her the truth was personal, her father! Dr. Kenda Dean (of Princeton Theological Seminary) sees a healthy youthful reaction to postmodernism’s relativism and confusion in these examples from popular culture. And so do I.

This all takes us back to where relational youth work got started, doesn’t it? Such truth in healthy relationships characterizes good parenting and effective youth work.

I see teenagers going in two directions right now...split between those who are really wanting to serve and make things right or better and those caught up in violence and mayhem, drugs and escapism. In other words, things are better and worse at both ends...with most kids sort of caught in the middle living from day to day...watching to see how it is going to turn out for the world and themselves. With them we will discover wisdom and courage to face the new millennium. We can reflect once again on the emphasis on relationship and destiny in that 1990 album by Styx: "Oh, you and me...we’re living on the edge of the century." And the track just before it prays:

...every day I’m more confused/as the saints turn into sinners/show me the way.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. How would you answer the questions: "What is currently affecting young people most?" "What’s unique about the situation young people face these days?"
2. What kind of fear and craziness may come out in 1999 to 2001?
3. Are there things that bother you about this (opinionated) article? Can you get beyond these points to the issues underlying this concern about a confusing world? How would you describe our times (being careful to avoid over-simplifications)?
4. What might be the reaction of teenagers, parents, teachers, and youth leaders to this article?
5. Do you think today’s young people will lead us into a better century?
6. What do you see as the place to start a new millennium?

IMPLICATIONS

1. Questions about the future, our destinies, truth, and morality should not be limited to popular music. They need to be discussed.
2. It is crucially important to hear the opinions and questions of young people these days.
3. It is impossible to read the signs of the times without seeing wrong and despair—but also honesty, goodness, and hope.

Dean Borgman cCYS