Ignorant.

Lazy.

Apathetic.

These are the labels my generation has been saddled with. We are the doom of the world, the bane of the future. We sit at our computers and go on MySpace while remaining blissfully unaware of where the world around us is going.

Adults want us to get involved with our government and start joining in the process now, but from the criticism they heap upon us, it certainly doesn't seem like they truly believe we'll do anything worthwhile.

And whose fault is that? Yours. That's right — parents, teachers, politicians and role models all, it is your fault we are not better citizens.

Let me explain why.

First, expectations of today's teenagers are, frankly, ridiculous at times. Getting into college is not a matter of good grades and high SAT scores anymore. The best colleges require extensive community service, outstanding academic achievement and dedicated extracurricular activities.

And let me tell you, that takes a lot of time. Plus, in between all of those Good Samaritan acts, we're still juggling the rigors of our classes, part-time jobs, sports, social lives and basic survival needs, like sleeping reasonable amounts and eating.

When were you planning on squeezing in the time to be an active, contributing member of society? Some of us are lucky to get six hours of sleep a night. Teenagers don't have a lot of time to be political activists. Sure, you can argue that we should make the time, but we've got a lot on our plates.

Adults are the ones who placed these heavy expectations onto us in the first place. From youth, children are railroaded into one extracurricular activity after another. In high school, they are informed they will have to continue this on-the-go lifestyle to further their education. At this level, when adolescents get involved in government, it's for the sake of their hallowed resumes: They make the time for it because it looks good.

And who was it who taught us that?

The second thing adults are doing wrong is not properly communicating the ways we can get involved.

There are supposedly many youth committees and boards that are consulted on important issues. There are many hearings and forums that would love some input from the young. But until I joined The Advertiser's Teen Editorial Board, I had no idea any of these things existed.

I read or watch the news every day; I am editor of my school's newspaper. I am more informed than a majority of my peers. But I had never once heard of any of those opportunities. Most people I know also have no idea these things are out there. Tell me: Where exactly are they being publicized?

In this modern age, there is no excuse for not taking full advantage of the myriad of communication methods we have. The Internet is a great tool — use it. Social networking sites are one way to get the word out fast. Make fliers and canvass schools. Advertise a little. If you want the young to get involved, make effort to get them involved. If you don't care enough to try, then why would we?

That leads us to the last thing: There aren't very many people who inspire us to take action. Our leaders, short of promoting faith in government, now apparently take nine hours to re-discuss mass transit to decide to vote on nothing. The Legislature, for all their big talk on sustainability, has not gotten over petty politics to actually pass much of merit.

Our teachers may assign newspaper-reading and current event-discussing, but even they fall short of explaining the merit of an early start to getting involved in government. They've got their hands full trying to teach us the standards, anyway. And our parents — well, if Hawai'i's voting rates are any indication, they're not exactly what I'd call role models either.

Is it any surprise that teenagers today are so apathetic? If our leaders, our elders, our role models can barely keep it together and demonstrate what it means to be involved, then how on earth do they expect us to step up to the plate?

Ignorant, lazy, apathetic — maybe those words don't just describe us anymore, huh? Before looking to pass the torch to the next generation, maybe you'd better shape up and start practicing what you preach.

It all starts with you.

Paige Takeya is a senior at Mililani High School and a member of The Advertiser's 2008 Teen Editorial Board.