第1569期:The more sensible youth of today

'Kids these days, eh?' Three simple words that try to summarise many a misunderstanding across a generational divide. On one side, the older generation – stuffy, antiquated, and oppressive. On the other, the younger generation – rebellious, ignorant and disobedient, and lacking in self-control. Or at least that's what popular stereotypes would have us believe. That said, every generation is different in one way or another to the next. But if recent figures are anything to go by, juveniles may actually be improving upon their elders' behaviour.

“现在的孩子们，嗯？”三个简单的词试图概括代沟中的许多误解。一方面，老一代——闷闷不乐、过时、压抑。另一方面，年轻一代——叛逆、无知、不听话、缺乏自制力。或者至少这是流行的刻板印象让我们相信的。也就是说，每一代人都以一种或另一种方式与下一代不同。但如果最近的数据可以作为参考，那么青少年实际上可能正在改善他们长辈的行为。

British 16–24 year olds are drinking less alcohol and smoking less, according to a recent report from the UK Office for National Statistics.  From 2005 to 2017 the number of British adolescents and young adults who had drunk alcohol the week prior to being interviewed declined from 60% to 50%. This is mirrored by their consumption of cigarettes, which dropped from 28.5% to 19.9% for the same period. 

根据英国国家统计局最近的一份报告，英国 16 至 24 岁的人正在减少饮酒和吸烟。从 2005 年到 2017 年，在接受采访前一周饮酒的英国青少年和年轻人的数量从 60% 下降到 50%。这反映在他们的香烟消费量上，同期从 28.5% 下降到 19.9%。

One possible reason for this youth's sagacity could lie in the cultural shift away from these behaviours – something they can thank their forebears for. Campaigns and adverts on the dangers of smoking and drinking have been persevering. For example, the Department of Transport's Think! campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of drink-driving, or the Department of Health's Change4Life campaign promoting the benefits of healthy food and exercise. And while, for their predecessors these behaviours may have become ingrained, it seems young people are taking these messages to heart.

这个年轻人睿智的一个可能原因可能在于从这些行为中发生的文化转变——他们可以感谢他们的祖先。关于吸烟和饮酒危害的运动和广告一直在坚持。例如，交通部的 Think!提高人们对酒后驾驶危害的认识的运动，或卫生部的 Change4Life 运动，宣传健康食品和锻炼的好处。虽然，对于他们的前辈来说，这些行为可能已经根深蒂固，但年轻人似乎将这些信息铭记于心。

Another explanation could be based in youth's natural delinquency. "Young people are rebelling against the older generations' chosen methods of rebellion," says Dr James Nicholls, Director of Research and Policy Development at Alcohol Research UK, speaking to the Guardian. In other words, if the older generation's method of rebellion from their parents was to drink, smoke and act anti-socially, then their offspring's is to refrain.

另一种解释可能是基于青少年的自然犯罪。“年轻人正在反抗老一代人选择的反叛方法，”英国酒精研究中心的研究和政策制定主任詹姆斯尼科尔斯博士在接受《卫报》采访时说。换言之，如果说老一辈背叛父母的方式是酗酒、抽烟和反社会，那么他们的后代就是克制。

Whether or not this will continue, only time will tell. As these under-25s go through life, they may buck their current trend, and turn to the behaviour of their ancestors. However, they may stick to their guns and continue to be sensible. If this is indeed the case then a more interesting question arises. How will their youth react? 

这是否会继续下去，只有时间会证明一切。随着这些 25 岁以下的人度过一生，他们可能会逆势而上，转向他们祖先的行为。但是，他们可能会坚持自己的立场并继续保持理智。如果情况确实如此，那么就会出现一个更有趣的问题。他们的青春会有什么反应？

词汇表

generational divide 代沟
stuffy 保守的，一本正经的
antiquated 过时的
oppressive 压抑的
rebellious 离经叛道的
ignorant 无知的
disobedient 不听话的
juvenile 青少年
elder 长辈
adolescent （青春期的）青少年
young adult （二十岁前后的）年轻人
sagacity 睿智
cultural shift 文化变迁
forebear 先辈
persevering 长久不懈的
predecessor 上一代人
ingrained 根深蒂固的
delinquency （青少年）违法行为
offspring 后代
buck a trend 逆势而上
stick to your guns 坚持己见