(BALTIMORE – May 8, 2025) – America has a problem with young people, and I’m increasingly frustrated with it. From mall curfews to over-policed parks and hyper-punitive school environments, the message we’re sending is painfully clear: “We don’t trust your presence.” This sentiment is indisputably dangerous—any culture that pushes its youth to the margins is destined for decline.
I’m genuinely baffled by the unchecked belief that young people are inherently problematic or danger-prone. Even worse is the assumption that the adults in their lives will automatically serve as reliable “menace mediators.” The facts don’t support this narrative. Adults over the age of 25 commit 85% of crimes in this country. Over the past five years, youth arrests have dropped by approximately 38%. And youth are more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators.
The reality for young people today bears little resemblance to what we experienced as teenagers (Generation X) or what our parents faced (Baby Boomers). Yes, our youth are different—but our world has fundamentally transformed. Today’s youth are navigating a world with evolving family structures, compromised communities, 24/7 digital exposure, shifting value systems, and increased social and economic pressure. They aren’t “worse”—they’re reflections of the world we have created.
So, can we stop attacking the character of human beings simply because they’re under 18? Let’s stop trying to smother their natural brilliance, curiosity, and vitality for the sake of adult comfort and convenience. Young people deserve creative investments, not curfews. They need community support, not surveillance.
The young activists who shaped history—like Marley Dias, Bellen Woodard, Jordan Reeves, and Tyler Gordon—remind us of what youth can accomplish when society makes room for their participation instead of their exclusion. A healthy society doesn’t shut out its young people—it creates space for them to thrive, contribute, and eventually lead. Let’s get it together, grown people!
Dr. Beshon Trusty is the Founder/Executive Director of the Educator’s Empowerment Center:
www.educatorempowerment.org
