Patriot Realm

As young folk, didn't some of us feel like rebels without a cause? 

I am coming up 70. In my era, some of us chose to follow Greenpeace. Others chose anti Vietnam war. Still others embraced the feminist ideology and some the allure of socialism and communism. For myself, I never really embraced a cause. I was too busy enjoying life. But I was always a bit of a black sheep. 

Terribly stubborn. Opinionated and very determined in my views on what was black or white or right from wrong. Poor Redhead still tries to rein me in but alas, she hasn't been successful thus far. At 92, you would think she would give up trying, but she tells me " I am still your mother. " 

Bugger. She is right of course but in all fairness, I do attribute good parenting to the fact that she now has three geriatric offspring who tend to be a pain in her arse because we won't do as we are told. Let me explain. 

In later life, I have become even more stubborn, opinionated and regrettably determined. I blame Redhead. And Dad. 

They raised me and my brothers too well. 

In fact, as a post-war baby, I enjoyed a very pleasant life. My parents were happily married. My Mum was a housewife who ran a tight ship and provided us with a warm and loving hearth and home. My Dad gave my mother the ability to provide the money to feed us and she in turn spun straw into gold. In short, my father's pay packet ensured that my mother could use those dollars ( or pounds as they were in those days ) into strands of magnificent homely security and comfort. 

In the year that I was born, 1955, Rebel Without a Cause was released. 

The post-war era was marked by big population growth, the rise of consumerism, and a growing middle class. Yet amid the apparent prosperity, there was also a deepening sense of disconnection, particularly among young people. 

Many young people were suffering from the loss of a father figure in their lives. The war had taken a terrible toll on the world and fathers were either absent or physically and or mentally scarred. 

The war had stripped this vital role model and left them feeling a bit at sea as the saying goes. I was fortunate: my father came through relatively unscathed.

At its core, Rebel Without a Cause is less about actual rebellion and more about the search for identity.

The “cause” Jim and his peers were without was a greater purpose in life.

They weren’t rebelling for the sake of an ideological movement but rather to carve out their sense of self in a world that had offered them little guidance. 

There was scene in the film - the iconic "chickie run" scene, where Jim races against another teenager toward a cliff, symbolising the dangers and recklessness of youth.  Do we not see this today with TikTok challenges? But this was tame, wasn't it? 

To me, Rebel Without a Cause can be interpreted as a commentary on the importance of young people finding a meaningful cause or purpose in their lives.

The lack of a clear purpose or "cause" is central to our young people's internal conflicts. They are looking for something to believe in.

And boy, didn't they do well with this young gang leader? It was masterful piece of social engineering: create a cult leader for all those kids who wanted to be part of the gang and feel that they were doing something meaningful and exciting. Just as our world was about to be shut down by a virus, they release a social media gang leader who could guide them through the fear campaign of climate change and covid lockdowns. 

And now, having unleashed this fear campaign through social media, our governments want to start censoring social media? And in particular to kids? What the hell is going on? 

I say, let's get a few new gangs and cults going. Because these young acolytes of the church of Greta are now gluing themselves to roads and destroying works of art. Yes, it was a fantastic campaign and the left should be congratulated for being so very very manipulative.  

The kids were rebels without a cause and she gave them their cause. 

Yet I ask Why can't we give them a cause? One that offers hope not fear. One that offers pride, not shame. One that offers unity, not division. 

Team sports is a great gang to belong to.

And let us not forget the idea of patriotism  - a meaningful cause that is notably absent these days. As is a passion for God, and Family. Many young people today are turning to ideological campaigns as replacements for traditional structures such as religion, patriotism, and family. 

Increasing numbers of young people are growing up in non-traditional families. 

For young people seeking a sense of belonging, meaning, and moral clarity, ideological causes—such as social justice, climate activism, or political identity movements—offer what they think is an answer. The same with joining a gang: it creates a family unit that they may have lacked in their lives. 

Ideological movements, especially in the age of social media, offer a sense of community that is accessible and immediate. Let's face it, social media allows people to connect pretty quickly with others and don't we all love it?

But is banning young people from social media the answer? I don't think so. During the Covid lockdowns, social media was pivotal for kids to stay in touch with friends. 

To prevent communication online would be like throwing fire onto a dry forest. The consequences could be catastrophic.  How much simpler it would be to have parents do their bloody job and see what interaction their children are having online. 

Traditional communities like churches, neighbourhoods, or even local families are things of the past. These new communities that young people follow in pursuit of ideological purity can resemble religious zealotry, leading to a pretty dangerous form of activism. This can sometimes stifle debate, much like our government is trying to do at the moment. 

Don't misunderstand me. Of course it is natural - instinctive - for young people to seek a cause that they can follow with great vigour. As we did and our parents and grandparents and great great grandparents did before us. 

But surely we have a real and present danger today.... a generation who have become rebels without a cause and are willing to grasp onto anything that makes them feel like they have a sense of belonging.

But they lack a cause worth fighting for. 

So why not, governments of the world, give them a cause worthy their passion? 

I don't know, something like love of country? Pride in their sense of self and identity as citizens of great nations? A passionate belief in their self worth? 

It is time for our young generation to be proud to be our next generation and abandon the false gods of climate change, open borders and gay rights.  

How about an old fashioned dose of patriotic fervour, love of country, family and God?

Or is that too politically incorrect these days? 

Shaydee