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这样的情景已经屡见不鲜：老一辈的人表示自己难以理解下一代人的行为和观念。但有研究表明，新一代年轻人的行为其实要比上一辈更加明智。这具体指的是年轻人的哪些行为呢？造成这一趋势的原因可能有哪些？

sensible youth

article

'Kids these days, eh?' Three simple words that try to summarise many a misunderstanding across a generational divide. On one side, the older generation – stuffy, antiquated, and oppressive. On the other, the younger generation – rebellious, ignorant and disobedient, and lacking in self-control. Or at least that's what popular stereotypes would have us believe. That said, every generation is different in one way or another to the next. But if recent figures are anything to go by, juveniles may actually be improving upon their elders' behaviour.

British 16–24 year olds are drinking less alcohol and smoking less, according to a recent report from the UK Office for National Statistics. From 2005 to 2017 the number of British adolescents and young adults who had drunk alcohol the week prior to being interviewed declined from* 60% to 50%. This is mirrored by their consumption of cigarettes, which dropped from 28.5% to 19.9% for the same period.

One possible reason for this youth's sagacity could lie in the cultural shift away from these behaviours – something they can thank their forebears for. Campaigns and adverts on the dangers of smoking and drinking have been persevering. For example, the Department of Transport's Think! campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of drink-driving, or the Department of Health's Change4Life campaign promoting the benefits of healthy food and exercise. And while, for their predecessors these behaviours may have become ingrained, it seems young people are taking these messages to heart.

Another explanation could be based in youth's natural delinquency. "Young people are rebelling against the older generations' chosen methods of rebellion," says Dr James Nicholls, Director of Research and Policy Development at Alcohol Research UK, speaking to the Guardian. In other words, if the older generation's method of rebellion from their parents was to drink, smoke and act anti-socially, then their offspring's is to refrain.

Whether or not this will continue, only time will tell. As these under-25s go through life, they may buck their current trend, and turn to the behaviour of their ancestors. However, they may stick to their guns and continue to be sensible. If this is indeed the case then a more interesting question arises. How will their youth react?

vocabulary

generational divide 代沟
@文章中形容上一辈老人的词：
stuffy 保守的，一本正经的
antiquated 过时的
oppressive 压抑的
ingrained 根深蒂固的
@文章中形容青年的词：
rebellion (n) 反抗，叛乱
rebellious (adj) 离经叛道的
ignorant 无知的
disobedient 不听话的
lack in self-control 缺乏自控力
juvenile （adj,n）青少年，青少年的
elder 长辈
adolescent （青春期的）青少年
young adult （二十岁前后的）年轻人
sagacity 睿智
cultural shift 文化变迁
forebear 先辈 = ancestor = predecessor 上一代人
offspring 后代
persevering 长久不懈的
delinquency（青少年）违法行为
buck a trend 逆势而上
stick to one's guns 坚持己见
many a + c.n. 许多，大量的...
e.g.,many a little make a mickle 积少成多
thank sb. for sth. 感谢某人某事
promote the benefits of 提高益处
raise the awareness of... 提高对...的认识
the week prior to doing sth. 在做...的前一个星期

question

Why is it more difficult for older generations to change their behaviour towards drinking and smoking?

make sentences

1. I prefer to write them by hand and send them in the post. It's antiquated but charming.

2. This is a meeting! Pay attention and stop distracting people. Don't be so juvenile!

3. While the great/large majority of people have integrated social media into their daily lives, a small minority continue to buck the trend.

4. Many cultures attempt to teach their youth a reverential respect for their elders.

5. There has been a cultural shift in perceptions of a woman's role - moving away from the traditional.

reference

BBC Take Away English