**A Misguided Generation: The College Conundrum**
In a world where the struggle between good and evil is often debated on political stages, an equally pressing battle is unfolding – one of choice and consequence for America’s youth. A new book by Pastor Alan Jackson titled *Angels, Demons, and You* dives deep into the realities of this fight. While it touches on spiritual warfare, it couldn’t be more relevant to the very real struggles of today’s young adults. Jackson urges readers to recognize the spiritual and practical challenges that surround them, making it clear that being aware and prepared is key. But is our current educational system helping or hindering this preparation?
A recent article from Fortune magazine has sent ripples through conversations about young adults, particularly those from Generation Z. Surprisingly, it revealed that more than four million young people are neither employed nor enrolled in training programs—often dubbed “Neets.” The term does not refer to a trendy new start-up; rather, it paints a rather bleak picture of today’s youth who are stuck living with parents, collecting welfare, and seemingly waiting for life to happen. What a joyride, right? Unfortunately, many of these young adults have been led down a path paved with high hopes but littered with crushing student debt.
The real shocker? According to experts, this mass exodus from work and study is largely a result of a system that encouraged individuals to obtain degrees that, well, don’t count for much in the real world. For decades, societal pressure has driven students to believe that obtaining a college degree is the golden ticket to success. But as many are discovering, it may just be a very expensive piece of paper. In the age of increasing automation, the harsh reality is hitting home that many graduates may soon be out of a job simply due to robotic takeovers.
Some suggest that instead of pushing young people into classrooms filled with theoretical knowledge, we should be steering them towards skilled labor jobs like plumbing or electrical work. These are career paths that promise not just a paycheck but also immense personal satisfaction. Yet, therein lies the conflict. A stigma has developed around trades that make parents feel as if their child’s success is measured by lofty degrees and not the practical skills required in the real world. Meanwhile, society has perpetuated the fallacy that vocational careers are beneath those with a “higher calling.”
Past discussions have revealed just how deep this insecurity runs. Many parents would rather spin tales about their child’s “identity journey” than admit that their son or daughter is working as an electrician. Heaven forbid they tell their friends that their kid is not following the conventional route of becoming a doctor or a lawyer. This fear of social embarrassment has tricked an entire generation into believing that they must follow a specific societal mold to avoid judgment, leading many down a road empty of direction and filled with despair.
In a time filled with spiritual warfare, societal expectations, and a broken education system, it seems vital for every generation to take a step back and reconsider what true success looks like. Pastor Jackson’s insights remind us that while spiritual battles are crucial, they are reflective of deeper issues rooted in our earthly experiences. In understanding the stakes we face, from the job market to our perceptions of worth, it becomes clearer than ever: true success may not always wear a cap and gown but might instead wield a toolbelt. So, for the good of the future, let’s start encouraging both choices — the academic and the practical — and allow tomorrow’s youth the chance to discover their unique paths to fulfillment, whether it leads them to an office, a workshop, or somewhere in between.
