Does the younger generation (i.e, college students) have a duty to protest against society's ills?

Being in the age group you’re referring to, I think it’s great to see people standing up for their rights. Even if some of them are there just to be seen there (aka posers).

Yes.

@Zen: Why?

I think we ALL have a duty to stand up against injustices. It just happens that the younger generations are naturally more rebellious.

@ABoyNamedBoobs03: That is true, but I meant, do students as a group have a special responsibility to protest?

“Rage Against the Machine” should be more than just a band name. College is the time to develop critical thinking.

@shared3 For the reasons you’ve stated, plus they are at the right place to further learn about and research whatever it is they are protesting. They are at the right age, right frame of mind. Afterwards, kids, work and well, life simply do not allow one to protest as much or as effectively as the college student might.

I think so, throughout history the 17–26 age group has been the main group in pushing revolutionary changes in politics and social norms. So over all that time, we’ve gained a responsibility to hold up the tradition I think. We will never live in a perfect world, but we should never cease to strive closer and closer.

I think the whole premise is a farce to be honest. The baby boomer generation was a generation of protest. Seems to me that they are the same people running the country. Somewhere along the way I think the realities of life set in and idealistic thoughts become pushed to the wayside in favor of a more pragmatic outlook.

Generally it falls to them by default. They do have the time and aren’t encumbered by extraneous responsibilities. The main factor is, at that age they finally begin to recognize the power they have, and the fact that they are in a position to do begin to accept their own place in the workings of society.

At my school in the city, they seem to think it’s their duty to. We had a massive protest during which the cafeteria got shut down, and just a little bit after that, NYU had one that got students expelled. The problem was, they weren’t protesting anything particularly significant; most of them were just protesting for the sake of it, mostly. So my answer is, yes, if there is something that is actually worth protesting that they are passionate about.

not sure about “duty” but it seems that they always will.

Youthful passion and idealism are a vital force in society, whether directed toward protesting society’s ills or making art or overthrowing tyranny. The process of maturing is the process of making compromises. Few rent-paying, family-supporting, tax-owing householders can afford to lay themselves on the line in service of an ideal, but somebody has to, so the ideals don’t erode and so we keep hearing a fresh cry of protest and affirmation to remind us of our humanity.

As a product of the sixties myself, I worry about any college generation that is more interested in fashion, sports, entertainment, and beer than in rattling the walls of the establishment. Time enough for all that after they’ve sold out to the system.

Not a duty (moral nor otherwise), but I feel inclined to believe, given the consistency with which members of every young human generation has done so, that they shall protest regardless.

@Nially_Bob Case in point :)

@FGS Now if you don’t mind they’ve stopped serving milkshakes on wednesdays at the main campus café <pulls on balaclava, grabs beating stick and runs out the door>

@Nially_Bob PROTEST!! protest I say!!!

Duty? No
Right? Ya

“I’m against picketing, but I don’t know how to show it.”

I agree with those who said it is their right, but not their duty. Nonetheless, coming from the ‘60s generation myself, I am happy to see that they care enough to protest, and I believe the fact that they are thinking and want to be involved bodes well for the future.

Though they may be naive in some ways (just as we were!), they bring a fresh perspective, which is always very useful. The fact is, that society needs input from every generation. We need the experience of the oldsters as well as the energy and idealism of the youngsters. We should welcome all of their contributions.

Evolution created a very strong urge in the younger generation (age 15 – 22) to be in charge. In human history the “older” generation (age 25 – 35) was already becoming frail unable to support the group, unable to be strong leaders.

Modern times has completely changed the system, but the urge is still there. Most students can’t compete with the knowledge of an older professor. Yet there are other targets in society. Many things are wrong in our societies. Therefore the protests by college students and others young people.

Im a college student (21). Really my friends and i usually talk about social problems, economic things over a blunt or a beer and usually have some good conversations about it but never really do anything about it.

I just cant get into the “its my time for change!”, go rally and protest and stuff.

I would argue that the youth have a greater duty than any other demographic to fight against society’s perceived ills and shortcomings. It is our generation who is going to get railed by global warming, peak oil, a huge amount of national and global debt, and the systematic eradication of civil and personal rights and liberties.

The elderly are the ones making policy and running our country into the ground. We have to fight back by voting these dinosaurs out of office and getting people with our actual interests at heart and not the bottom line net profit of Soulless Inc.

A duty, no. They have the right to be ABLE to, should they wish to protest. And that is an important part of social progress, potentially.

The flip side is rich college kids jumping on bandwagons or adopting causes they know little about. A little experience of the hardships which they protest against would make the whole endeavour a little more worthwhile, in my opinion.

@JakeVig
It’s easy to raise issues, but difficult to create a comprehensive plan of action. The elderly were once young and idealistic too. It’s not easy to turn a behemoth like government. An ocean liner also turns slowly. It takes miles before a distinct change in trajectory is noted. We just elected an African American president and that was a result of many brave voices dating back to the 60’s.

Being involved and civic minded is good.
Unilaterally deciding what “society’s ills” are is a mistake.

Youth do not have a duty to protest society’s ills; but if the young people do not have visions, what kind of society will they become? Most of us were idealistic when young. I did my share of marching and demonstrating, etc. and I regret none of it. And I think that many of the good changes in my society came about because the young marched.

Absolutely not.
There are followers as well as leaders. K through college represents the time an individual has to experience the world for the first time leading to the formation their opinions of their world, as well as how they decide to fit in.

@TitsMcGhee
I know how you can get their attention…@@

During the Presidential elections, we read in the news about a group of university students in Florida went to the polls with a marching band. That was wonderful. It was the kind of thing young people could – and should – do.

Nope. No. A thousand times no

Young people need to be working their asses off…..just like older people.