Accepting responsibility for your actions

**MattRSK** · 7th June 2009, 18:53

At least I didn't fuck the planet!

**Naki Rat** · 7th June 2009, 18:55

Originally Posted by MattRSK

At least I didn't fuck the planet!

So you live in a cave and scrub yourself with a rock?

**MattRSK** · 7th June 2009, 18:56

I sure do!

**The Stranger:Me** · 7th June 2009, 18:59

Originally Posted by MSTRS

The thing is, if "you've" never learned personal responsibility, then how do you understand the concept?
Different story if "you" just don't care...

So is it an acceptabe excuse that no one told you murder is wrong, or theft is wrong etc?
Isn't this a lot of how PC works?
It's not his fault that he beats his wife, it's not his fault that he rapes women or muders pizza delivery guys.
After all these poor sods just never learned this shit was bad.

**smoky** · 7th June 2009, 19:04

As we get older I think our 'field of view' narrows;

We only see what we are exposed to, I have a whole bunch of teenage nephews and nieces (13), some working, some doing polytech courses, and a few still at secondary school.
They are all good kids, and responsibility is a strong point with them, and with most of their mates.

In some respects they take their personal responsibility more seriously than most people in my age group, most of them don't smoke, they always have a designated driver (in fact they will take adults to task if they drive after a few drinks), seat belts don't get forgotten about, and generally behave themselves around town, they respect the environment more than our generation, they are generally better educated.

yes they push the boundarys at time, yes they make some mistakes, yes they can be cheeky at times, and often say silly things without thinking.
But on the whole I think the modern generation may have a lot more things sorted then the generation I grew up in.

**short-circuit** · 7th June 2009, 19:04

Originally Posted by MattRSK

At least I didn't fuck the planet!

On a related note. Take a look at the politics of the late 80s and 90s with the focus on me, myself and I

What mummy and daddy now reap came from what they sowed

**short-circuit** · 7th June 2009, 19:05

Originally Posted by smoky

As we get older I think our 'field of view' narrows;

We only see what we are exposed to, I have a whole bunch of teenage nephews and nieces (13), some working, some doing polytech courses, and a few still at secondary school.
They are all good kids, and responsibility is a strong point with them, and with most of their mates.

In some respects they take their personal responsibility more seriously than most people in my age group, most of them don't smoke, they always have a designated driver (in fact they will take adults to task if they drive after a few drinks), seat belts don't get forgotten about, and generally behave themselves around town, they respect the environment more than our generation, they are generally better educated.

yes they push the boundarys at time, yes they make some mistakes, yes they can be cheeky at times, and often say silly things without thinking.
But on the whole I think the modern generation may have a lot more things sorted then the generation I grew up in.

Absolutely

**short-circuit** · 7th June 2009, 19:06

Originally Posted by smoky

As we get older I think our 'field of view' narrows

For some more than others evidently

**Sparrowhawk** · 7th June 2009, 19:09

Originally Posted by Mom

Personal responsibility is not about age, it is about culture. By culture I am not talking about your race either btw, I am talking about the culture you were raised in, what defined your own values set.

Agreed. In my old line of work (banking), I saw this all the time. For example, people blame finance companies for approving their HP's & Loans "If I couldn't afford it, they shouldn't have given it to me". No, YOU should count the cost yourself before you sign the contract. Once again, this wasn't specific to any race, however it was more noticable in certain cultures.

Another one was when a council would send the rates demand to the bank that had the mortgage. The bank would pay the rates from the customer's account. Then the client would get upset at the bank. No, it's YOUR job to make sure your rates are paid. If they're more than 12 months overdue, it's an issue.

This was almost always people that were 30+

That's feedback from the younger generation for you. It's not just us you old farts!!

**MattRSK** · 7th June 2009, 19:16

Originally Posted by smoky

As we get older I think our 'field of view' narrows;

We only see what we are exposed to, I have a whole bunch of teenage nephews and nieces (13), some working, some doing polytech courses, and a few still at secondary school.
They are all good kids, and responsibility is a strong point with them, and with most of their mates.

In some respects they take their personal responsibility more seriously than most people in my age group, most of them don't smoke, they always have a designated driver (in fact they will take adults to task if they drive after a few drinks), seat belts don't get forgotten about, and generally behave themselves around town, they respect the environment more than our generation, they are generally better educated.

yes they push the boundarys at time, yes they make some mistakes, yes they can be cheeky at times, and often say silly things without thinking.
But on the whole I think the modern generation may have a lot more things sorted then the generation I grew up in.

Thanks! Well put.

**Naki Rat** · 7th June 2009, 19:17

In a similar vein...

**wbks** · 7th June 2009, 19:28

Popa griffin pretty much sums it up for me. I won't complain or act hard done by if I'm caught in the wrong, but I'm not going out of my way to own up for something I don't see as serious.

**Naki Rat** · 7th June 2009, 19:34

Originally Posted by wbks

Popa griffin pretty much sums it up for me. I won't complain or act hard done by if I'm caught in the wrong, but I'm not going out of my way to own up for something I don't see as serious.

One problem would seem to be what any given individual regards as 'serious'.

Edit: One moment you are at Canterbury Uni (lat/long), the next you are in Middle Earth what gives?

**Genestho** · 7th June 2009, 19:49

Haven't read the whole thread, sorry if I've reposted!

We've all been teenagers! Right?

Didn't your parents ever say "Oh what is the youth of today coming to!!?"

Looking back to my youth, the world and its opportunities, were our oyster, the responsibilities were so basic and so minute.

The concept of consequence is not fully known until there is life experiences had.

It's not until you "age" (like a fine wine!) and have things you take seriously (Mortgage, Family, Business, Careers, Credit) to loose, that you truly grasp responsibility and consequence.

For some that's just too late!

However I do believe, taking responsibility is totally irrespective of age.

Even grownups with morals and ethics will take risks, or wriggle out of responsibility from dire consequences if given half the chance!!!!

And they do, we see it alllll the time - somewhere along the line we have created a society where it's acceptable to pass the buck.

I'm sure it was not always this way!

And no, it's not upto teachers to teach our kids morals!

They're there to do a job, which is to educate our kids so they have the skills to take on the world, our job as parents - is to give them the rest!