Jeremy L. Berg

Repost from 2010.

Something has changed since I went to school.  Like all cultural changes it came slowly, subtly, under the radar and is now boiling many teens like frogs trapped in kettle of pressure and busyness.

Today’s teens are experiencing an enormous amount of pressure to “produce, produce, produce” and out-perform their peers to live up to the standards placed upon them and get into the college they want.

There’s a lot of research being done of this toxic trend slowly eating away at so many young people today.  Many parents just don’t see or admit what’s happening, and many therefore end up perpetuating the problem.

As a youth pastor, I interact daily with teens whose schedules would give an accomplished CEO’s weekly calendar a run for it’s money.  Many such teens will manage with smiles on their face for a long time, but many are just one step away from a sudden collapse or emotional break-down. Don’t be fooled by the demeanor of these seemingly content frogs seconds away from being boiled in the cauldron of constant activity and stress.

Well, there’s a new film out called Race to Nowhere: Documenting Kids’ Pressure to Perform that the Fuller Youth Institute’s Steven Johnson has written about here.  I highly encourage all teachers, coaches, youth workers, social workers and, most of all, parents read this article and see this film. Here’s a quote from the article:

“This culture of “doing” has largely taken our students away from the parental and friendship support systems they once used to have. Parents are turned from caregivers into homework police, sports coaches, and taxi drivers. Teachers and coaches are turned from caring adult mentors into pushy pests that require perfection. Friendships are expressed and maintained through pictures, wall posts, and instant messages over Facebook.⁸ All our teens are left with is themselves, their homework, and their thoughts.⁹As a junior high student laments, “I can’t even remember the last time I had a chance to go in my backyard and run around.”

The film is filled with interviews with teenagers and psychologists, parents and teachers, and many eye-opening confessions.  One psychologist in the film sums up the problem saying, “I am scared that our children will sue us for stealing their childhoods.”

As a pastor, I am afraid we’re stealing much more than their childhoods.  I believe we’re stealing their souls, and developing young people whose very identity is now bound up in performing, pleasing others, measuring up, being “successful” by the world’s standards. This is an exercise in idolatry. An entire generation is being shaped and molded by cultural pressures to be “human doings” rather than “human beings.”  Self-worth and significance is bound up not in being the beloved children of God (irregardless of our performance record) but rather being the best, the most accomplished, the busiest, and the tank is slowly running dry.

I encourage all to read this article, watch this film and remember the words of Jesus: “What good is it to gain the whole world, and yet to lose your very soul” (Mark 8:36). As the Message puts it, “What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?”

Well, many young people and their parents could give you a long list of things currently being traded for their soul: college admission, straight A’s, varsity athletic accolades, popularity, parents’ approval, and more.

If you’re caught up in this rat-race to nowhere and find yourself at the end of your rope.  If you’re a frog in the kettle waking up to see the boiling water your life is in, then let us run straight into the arms of Jesus (and sanity!):

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matt 11:28-30).

Read article HERE.