Perspective from a Mom: Joy
I recently saw the word “philanthroteen,” referring to our next generation of global philanthropists in a United Nations Foundation article. As the mother of two teenagers, the concept of teens as change-agents to improve the lives of others is intriguing.
I have strived to do what I could do to encourage my children to look beyond their backyard and put others before themselves. I ask them what they know about the world and how they would change it if they could. I encourage them to think of ways that they could bring their ideas to life. Sometimes this works, and sometimes it does not. One thing that I have learned is that children have to choose their own path. When they have a passion for something, they will choose to make a difference on their own…
Perspective from a Teen: Kendall
I always laugh at a scene from one of my favorite movies, Miss Congeniality, in which a female FBI agent enters a beauty contest:
Stan Fields (the MC in the Miss United States Pageant): What is the one most important thing our society needs?
Gracie Hart (FBI agent): That would be harsher punishment for parole violators, Stan.
[silent crowd]
Gracie Hart: [fake smile] And world peace!
[enthusiastic cheering from the crowd]
What would make the world a better place? I have been asked this question countless times and it evolves as I grow older…
Want to read more from Joy and Kendall? Read both of their full perspectives over on Impatient Optimists, the blog for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.