By Elaine Campbell, M.A.

How many times have we thrown our hands up in despair over something our child has done or said? Sometimes we feel like we can't possibly communicate with these children who are growing up in an age that feels foreign to us.

This generation, commonly referred to as "Generation Y," faces different challenges than we did due to the "age of technology." Instead of face to face conversations, time is now spent on the computer, Facebook, playing video games, or text messaging on cell phones. Technology has also brought with it additional temptations and problems for Gen Y, such as instant gratification, porn, bullying, and violence to name a few. With so much information available at their "finger tips," parents and counselors need to come along side Gen Y to teach and encourage them to make good moral choices. Confidentiality and privacy are foreign to them. Teaching them the importance of ethical and legal principles is a top priority.

Today's youth are faced with a rise in conflicting moral beliefs that has become more pronounced via technology and the media, thus creating a more tolerant and accepting attitude toward immorality than any prior generation. Society  has become complacent and is sending a very mixed message to Gen Y; this wavering message causes a conundrum of confusion. They are not equipped to separate reality from the "magical" world of their technological realm. Parents and counselors need to not only listen but also be a role model and guide toward positive and moral choices.

As in any generation, there are certainly positive characteristcs in Gen Y. Teenagers of today tend to be optimistic, empathetic, accept diversity, and have a commitment to civic duty. Many prefer to work in a group versus working individually in a hierarchy. Their values are for safety and security due to the random violence that has taken place around them.

Although we get frustrated with members of Gen Y, we must realize that there are still generational similarities. All generations share family as a top priority. Our children watch and learn from us more than we want to admit. How we react to difficult situations is seen and mimicked by them. Choices we make impact not only our life but our child's life as well.

A friend of mine gave me a quote by Roy Lessin. "Just think...you are not here by chance, but by God's choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compared you to no one else--you are one of a kind. You lack nothing that His grace can't give you. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill HIs special purpose for this generation."

Learning from each other's differences can be a win/win for everyone. All generations have their place in history. We can appreciate and learn from the next generation as we also train them in the values of confidentiality and respect of each other's individuality.