Michael Price, author and self-proclaimed "thought-leader for Millennials," has some advice for today's parents of this latest generation -- stop guiding them.
His piece, "Why Today's Parents Have No Business Giving Their Kids Advice," is featured at Huffington Post, where he is a regular contributor.
"The world isn't what it used to be," Price begins. And for that reason, parents are encouraged to keep their opinions to themselves. "When you consider how fast the world evolves nowadays, parents just simply have no business giving their kids life advice anymore," writes Price, implying that the parents' jobs and life experiences are too outdated to be relevant.
Price believes that because parents can't see into the future to know what will be best for their children, they should allow their kids dictate what is best for them:
The only person that knows what's best for your kids is your kids.
Price absolves all of the parents in America from any guilt they may feel because they "simply don't have the answers." He says it's okay and "it doesn't make you any less of a mother or father." He further spouts:
Many parents may hear my rant and retort by saying that 'giving their kids advice and guidance is necessary to provide them with a solid foundation.' A foundation based on what? Life in 1995? This rebuttal is a poor excuse provided by parents who are too afraid and too arrogant to simply say, 'I don't know.' 'I don't know and I don't understand your generation. I don't know and don't understand the problems that will plague you, but it's up to you to figure it out.' If parents would accept this mantra, they will give their children the freedom to be forward-thinking leaders best equipped to take on the challenges of tomorrow.
And on what authority does Price base all of this expertise? He's gotten some emails:
As a journalist, author, entrepreneur and outspoken thought-leader for Millennials and youth, I often receive emails from young people who are plagued with sorrow and confusion as they're being driven to pursue an education and career by their parents that they have no interest in. What is a life worth if it's spent living somebody else's dream?
Price feels that "education and intellect no longer has the value it once did" because of how kids can earn money through silly videos or video game tutorials, etc., on YouTube and other online sources. "Like it or not, that's the future," he writes. And Price says, "Thank God!" because these new avenues of income can stop them from becoming "cubicle clones."
Price concludes:
It's time to completely re-think everything. We have to go back to the drawing board, because the old way of doing things no longer works. The days of sitting your sons and daughters on your lap and giving them a stern lesson about the complexities of life no longer matter, because that was your life, not theirs. The days of going to college, getting a good job and doing just enough to get by for 40 years is also over. If you love your kids and want the best for them, stop giving them advice and stop guiding them. Let them guide themselves. If you've instilled values, integrity and a strong work ethic, they will find their way.
Michael Price's website is named after his "alter-ego," Michael "Priceless." He calls this persona, "the Batman to my Bruce Wayne." Priceless promises to "save you from mediocrity" and inspire people to "think different." And, of course, in the spirit of consistency, he will keep his advice in check because only individuals know what is best for themselves. Besides, advice is so outdated.
