Encouraging a thinking Australia

It amazes me how after 12 years of schooling that young people think that going to the Gold Coast and getting totally drunk is such a good way to make use of freedom. Wouldn't it be better instead rather than having 'schoolies' to actually see young people show some initiative and more importantly society allowing for them to show some maturity?

What would be a good idea is to see young people encouraged to travel abroad and to see the outside world around them. Rather than simply consuming alcohol and being exposed to worthless predators and dangers, a trip overseas or some kind of incentive would teach younger people more about the world around them. It would particularly expose them to different cultures and to make them think and be more responsible for themselves.

In my personal opinion, 'schoolies week' just shows no incentive. After 12 years of a hard slog it is good to let your hair down so to speak but also it is also a great idea to see other cultures and how the rest of the world functions and exists. I wish I could have traveled more when I was younger. Traveling opens your eyes and exposes you to other lifestyles and makes you feel more grateful of your own.

The school system needs to encourage younger people to be more responsible and for this we need a quality education. It concerns me when I see young children exposed to computers and using mobile phones at a very young age. The very necessity of play time and the use of imagination are important. Without this children evolve into adulthood life and are not equipped with assertive thinking and responsibility.

Rather than argue whether or not compulsory voting should exist why not educate people to vote for their own views. Surely the school system needs to develop strategies and introduce a system of learning to make people think and be more responsible for themselves. I am concerned that there are walking zombies in Australia. These people just cannot think for themselves and expect others to do their thinking for them. Surely this needs to change? Why not have and encourage a thinking Australia and remove the complacency also?