January 26, 2007 02:58 pm
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Today’s children are smart, talented, and savvy — and they likely have more computer skills than their parents.
Their lives are filled with activities, school, band, sports, dance, church.
How do their lives differ from your childhood?
The News Courier staff is requesting your help writing stories for a special magazine section about the lives of today’s children called “Generation M: Millennial kids are ultra-connected, over-scheduled and under pressure. Can they cope?”
Our team of reporters will look at important issues facing our children, such as the effects of technology, the rise in obesity, the quality of education, health issues and what kinds of leaders they may become.
We will also try to help answer questions about whether kids are overscheduled and overstressed, whether they are too “connected,” and whether they have enough physical education.
Submit your story
To give examples of how children live today (and in previous generations) we are asking our readers to submit essays about the family traditions they share with their children.
Do you have special holiday customs? Do you always play a certain game on long car trips? Do you have memories of an especially funny or memorable vacation?
Write about your feelings the day your child was born, or the day he graduated from high school. Tell us about proud moments as a parent, or share wisdom learned through adversity.
Or contrast your child’s life with your own experience.
Essay contest, class project
We are also asking teachers in Athens and Limestone County schools to create a class project (as a single entry and not individual student essays) on one of the following aspects to submit for publication:
• Who are kids’ role models today? How do they differ from previous generations?
• What are the biggest stressors children face: pressure to be the best, bullying, peer pressure, low self esteem?
• How are kids effected by music, movies and pop culture such as reality shows?
In addition, we will offer a $100 prize to individual winners in two categories of an essay contest. We are asking local students to write about the challenges they feel they face that their parents or grandparents did not experience as children. The theme is Why Adults Just Don’t Understand My Life.
Essays will be judged in two groups — grades 5-8 and grades 9-12. Winners and runners-up will have their essays published, along with a photo, in the special section.
How to submit
Send submissions to Managing Editor Kelly Kazek at 410 W. Green Street, Athens, Ala., 35611. Be sure to label them “Generation M” and indicate if they are a class project or essay entry. Submissions for all categories should be postmarked by Feb. 9.
Items can be submitted by e-mail at kelly@athensnews-courier.com, subject line “Generation M.” Be sure to include your name and telephone number, as well as any photographs that illustrate your story, project or essay.
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