Teenagers shirking responsibility and disrespecting elders

By definition, teenagers haven’t reached full maturity; nevertheless, a stark contrast in individual behavior between one teengaer and the next makes one question how much of behavior can be attributed to age versus to general apathy.

For example, my church’s youth handbell choir consists of members from grades 10-12, of which only half showed up to last week’s rehearsal. Unfortunately, those responsible members had to return home because a productive practice wasn’t possible with so few people in attendance. They then had to return the following weekend for an extra make-up rehearsal, but only after reminding their ungrateful peers to show up, receiving a groan instead of a “thank you.”

Such negligence of responsibility has become commonplace within the group, despite the music director’s consistent reminder calls to each household the day before. Meanwhile, other group members manage to show up each time despite a late night out or an upcoming work shift. As if general absenteeism and late arrival wasn’t bad enough, when these particular individuals do arrive, they disrupt inhibit progress with their overriding sense of egotism and apparently nonexistent attention span.

These teenagers’ antics consistently drown out the voice of the music director, a sweet, soft spoken elderly lady. The rehearsals only last twenty to thirty minutes, so it really shouldn’t be so hard to focus.

Although an energetic demeanor can serve to motivate and unite the group, it shouldn’t interfere with progress. After at least ten years of formal education, basic kindergarten rules should be mastered: not treating supplies like toys, not talking when others are talking, and not arriving late to class.

The instructor’s authority, founded on decades of music education and instruction, means nothing to the 16-some year-olds who talk over her. It’s one thing to mistakenly believe that you know it all, but it’s another t

o act like you do.

In addition to ignoring any of the instruction provided, these individuals feel compelled to correct others in the middle of a song, passive-aggressively shouting out unsolicited measure numbers and time signatures as if the instructor wasn’t already counting.

In their defense, some of these aforementioned teenagers are undoubtedly talented players who are well-versed in the language of music. However, this does not excuse their blatant disregard for the already-established organization structure. Good intentions don’t mean much when they’re cloaked under layers of obnoxious rudeness.

Moreover, don’t pretend to care about the group’s success by correcting someone else when you don’t even have enough dedication to show up half of the time.

In conclusion, as a member of something larger than yourself, you owe it to your peers and to your leaders to do your part - and not inhibit them from doing theirs. If you can’t handle moderate responsibility and self-control in a group setting, then do everyone a favor and don’t voluntarily put yourself in a position where others depend on you.