The Homebound Syndrome…The Homebound Syndrome…A SequelA Sequel

(on the hazards of never (on the hazards of never leaving home electronically)leaving home electronically)

Dennis WhiteDennis Whitedkwhite@itol.com

www.yeoresources.comwww.yeoresources.com

NAYEN 2012, Anchorage

Throughout this presentations, Throughout this presentations, hyperlinks will appear at various hyperlinks will appear at various

times. When this Powerpoint times. When this Powerpoint presentation is viewed online, presentation is viewed online,

clicking on any of these hyperlinks clicking on any of these hyperlinks will take the viewer to additional will take the viewer to additional

articles, presentations or websites articles, presentations or websites on on www.yeoresoures.org..

Part I:Part I:The Inbound SyndromeThe Inbound Syndrome

• The tendency for expatriates (not just The tendency for expatriates (not just Youth Exchange students) to bond Youth Exchange students) to bond with one anotherwith one another

• Not good, not bad, just is - but has Not good, not bad, just is - but has implications for immersion in the host implications for immersion in the host cultureculture

The Inbound Syndrome revised.doc  

Part II:Part II:The Homebound SyndromeThe Homebound Syndrome

• The tendency for Youth Exchange The tendency for Youth Exchange students to maintain continual students to maintain continual electronic communication with family electronic communication with family and friends back home and friends back home

• It is a part of the lifestyle of today’s It is a part of the lifestyle of today’s students - but has some problematic students - but has some problematic implications for immersion in the host implications for immersion in the host cultureculture

Some historical comments on Some historical comments on the “younger generation” the “younger generation”

Children now love luxury; they have bad Children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they manners, contempt for authority; they allow disrespect for elders and love chatter allow disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children now are in place of exercise. Children now are tyrants, not the servants of their tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, parents, chatter before company, gobble up food at the table, …and tyrannize gobble up food at the table, …and tyrannize their teachers. their teachers. Socrates, 469-339 B.C.Socrates, 469-339 B.C.

Some historical comments on Some historical comments on the “younger generation” the “younger generation”

The young are permanently in a state The young are permanently in a state resembling intoxication. resembling intoxication.

Aristotle, 384-322 BCAristotle, 384-322 BC

I never expected to see the day I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in when girls would get sunburned in the places they do now the places they do now

Will Rogers 1930 Will Rogers 1930

Some historical comments on Some historical comments on the “younger generation” the “younger generation”

Kids! I don't know what's wrong with these kids today!Kids! I don't know what's wrong with these kids today!Kids! Who can understand anything they say?Kids! Who can understand anything they say?Kids! They a disobedient, disrespectful oafs!Kids! They a disobedient, disrespectful oafs!Noisy, crazy, dirty, lazy, loafers! While we're on the Noisy, crazy, dirty, lazy, loafers! While we're on the subject:subject:Kids! You can talk and talk till your face is blue!Kids! You can talk and talk till your face is blue!Kids! But they still just do what they want to do!Kids! But they still just do what they want to do!Why can't they be like we were, Perfect in every way?Why can't they be like we were, Perfect in every way?What's the matter with kids today?What's the matter with kids today?

Bye Bye Birdie, 1962Bye Bye Birdie, 1962

Beloit College Mindset 2011Beloit College Mindset 2011

• Ferris Bueller and Sloane Peterson could be their Ferris Bueller and Sloane Peterson could be their parents.parents.

• The only significant labor disputes in their lifetimes The only significant labor disputes in their lifetimes have been in major league sports.have been in major league sports.

• To the statement “Don’t touch that dial!”, they say To the statement “Don’t touch that dial!”, they say what dial? what dial?

• Amazon has never been just a river in South America.Amazon has never been just a river in South America.

Beloit College Mindset 2011Beloit College Mindset 2011

• We have never asked, and they have never We have never asked, and they have never had to tell. had to tell.

• The Communist Party has never been the The Communist Party has never been the official political party in Russia.official political party in Russia.

• And most importantly, they have And most importantly, they have ALWAYSALWAYS been electronically connected. been electronically connected.

The Rotarian MagazineThe Rotarian Magazine, February, 2012, February, 2012TechTech SavantsSavants by Patti Lamberti by Patti Lamberti

Five things you need to know about the “gadget generation”:Five things you need to know about the “gadget generation”:1. They are blind to technology etiquette.1. They are blind to technology etiquette.2. Multi-tasking is hurting their brains.2. Multi-tasking is hurting their brains.3. They dislike conversing face to face.3. They dislike conversing face to face.4. Their only news comes from Facebook.4. Their only news comes from Facebook.5. Life without technology leaves them depressed and anxious.5. Life without technology leaves them depressed and anxious.

“ “Last year the International Center for Media and the Public Last year the International Center for Media and the Public Agenda asked 1,000 students from across five continents to Agenda asked 1,000 students from across five continents to not use media for one day and then report back. They…not use media for one day and then report back. They… reported feeling depressed and lonely. They…felt that living reported feeling depressed and lonely. They…felt that living without (their cell phones) was like losing a part of their without (their cell phones) was like losing a part of their

identity.”identity.”

Parents of today’s 16-17 year Parents of today’s 16-17 year olds:olds:

Probably born between 1955 and 1975Probably born between 1955 and 1975(If born in 1955)(If born in 1955)

• Were 2 years old when Sputnik was launched.Were 2 years old when Sputnik was launched.• Had stay-at-home moms.Had stay-at-home moms.• Were 8 years old when JKF was assassinated.Were 8 years old when JKF was assassinated.• Were too young to go to Woodstock Were too young to go to Woodstock • Were one year olds when Elvis appeared on Were one year olds when Elvis appeared on

Ed Sullivan. Ed Sullivan.

Parents of today’s 16-17 year Parents of today’s 16-17 year olds:olds:

Probably born between 1955 and 1975Probably born between 1955 and 1975(If born in 1975)(If born in 1975)

• Were 1 year olds for the U.S. bicentennial.Were 1 year olds for the U.S. bicentennial.• Probably never used rotary phones.Probably never used rotary phones.• Were the first generation with a majority Were the first generation with a majority

of working moms. of working moms.• Were two years old when Elvis died.Were two years old when Elvis died.• Ask “Who’s Ed Sullivan?”Ask “Who’s Ed Sullivan?”

Invasive ParentingInvasive Parenting

• Helicopter ParentsHelicopter Parents• Curling ParentsCurling Parents• Similar phrases for this phenomenon Similar phrases for this phenomenon

exist in many cultures today exist in many cultures today

Invasive ParentsInvasive Parents• Will do homework for their children because Will do homework for their children because

they do not want them to failthey do not want them to fail• Fill out college applications and SAT’sFill out college applications and SAT’s• Probably fill out RYE applications tooProbably fill out RYE applications too• Write letters of recommendation and ask Write letters of recommendation and ask

teacher to signteacher to sign• Are the ones taking notes at OrientationsAre the ones taking notes at Orientations

The New Global StudentThe New Global Student

Maya FrostMaya Frost

“ “Swaddling our kids in bubble wrap prevents Swaddling our kids in bubble wrap prevents them from experiencing and developing the them from experiencing and developing the ability to adapt in unpredictable circumstances. ability to adapt in unpredictable circumstances. In making life easier for their kids in the short In making life easier for their kids in the short term parents are making it harder for them in term parents are making it harder for them in the long term. In addition, they are depriving the long term. In addition, they are depriving their children of meaning and a shot at deep their children of meaning and a shot at deep satisfaction”.satisfaction”.

Hara Estroff Marano, Hara Estroff Marano, A Nation of Wimps: The High Cost of Invasive ParentingA Nation of Wimps: The High Cost of Invasive Parenting

Quoted in Quoted in The New Global StudentThe New Global Student by Maya Frost by Maya Frost

Two central issues, closely Two central issues, closely related:related:

1. Instant CommunicationInstant Communication

2.2. Invasive ParentingInvasive Parenting

The historical progression of The historical progression of international communicationinternational communication

Land mailLand mail Placing an overseas callPlacing an overseas call Direct DialDirect Dial Calling cardsCalling cards FaxFax EmailEmail BlogsBlogs SkypeSkype Instant messaging (texting, etc.)Instant messaging (texting, etc.) FacebookFacebook Twitter???Twitter???

C:\Users\dkw\Desktop\spaceballs edited 1.avi

C:\Users\dkw\Desktop\AT&T Commercial - HTC Vivid™ _Facecake_.mp4

"My dream is for every 17-year old to "My dream is for every 17-year old to become a Youth Exchange Student.  If become a Youth Exchange Student.  If we could achieve this, there would be we could achieve this, there would be no more wars."  no more wars." 

Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar, Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar, Rotary International President 2004-2005Rotary International President 2004-2005

Why is this important for Why is this important for Youth Exchange?Youth Exchange?

1. Over-bonding with other Inbound 1. Over-bonding with other Inbound students (The Inbound students (The Inbound

Syndrome)Syndrome)

2. Never leaving home electronically 2. Never leaving home electronically (The Homebound Syndrome)(The Homebound Syndrome)

Among the top reasons Among the top reasons exchanges fail are:exchanges fail are:

Stages of Culture ShockStages of Culture Shock

1.1. Initial excitementInitial excitement

2.2. Irritability and negativenessIrritability and negativeness

3.3. Gradual adaptationGradual adaptation

4.4. BiculturalismBiculturalism

Culture Shock.doc

Culture Shock CycleCulture Shock Cycle

Pre-Departure Months

Normal Level of Feelings

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Return …...

Rotary Youth ExchangeRotary Youth Exchange

Adapted from a model by Robert KohlsAdapted from a model by Robert Kohls

Stages of Culture Shock:

1. Initial enthusiasm and excitement

2. Irritability and negativism3. Gradual adjustment and

adaptation4. Integration and bi-culturalism

If the easiest response to the If the easiest response to the

Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism stage is stage is

to find comfort with other Inboundsto find comfort with other Inbounds

or electronically with friends and family or electronically with friends and family

at home, the student may get stuck at home, the student may get stuck going going

back and forth from stage one to two, back and forth from stage one to two,

in a vicious cyclein a vicious cycle

Stages of Culture Shock:Stages of Culture Shock:

1.1. Initial enthusiasm and excitementInitial enthusiasm and excitement

2.2. Irritability and negativismIrritability and negativism

((Discomfort)Discomfort)

3. Gradual adjustment and adaptation3. Gradual adjustment and adaptation

4. 4. Integration and bi-culturalism Integration and bi-culturalism

Extreme ResponsesExtreme Responses

• Rules intended to prohibit or controlRules intended to prohibit or control• Giving up – “There’s nothing we can Giving up – “There’s nothing we can

do about it”do about it”

Reasonable ResponsesReasonable Responses

• Accept – These two phenomena are with us Accept – These two phenomena are with us for the foreseeable futurefor the foreseeable future

• Inform – Give people, parents, students, Inform – Give people, parents, students, YEOs information on how and why intrusive YEOs information on how and why intrusive parenting and instant communication can parenting and instant communication can interfere with immersion into the host interfere with immersion into the host cultureculture

• Challenge - If students can manage their Challenge - If students can manage their own behavior they can make a good own behavior they can make a good exchange become a great exchangeexchange become a great exchange

Discussion: Implications for Youth Discussion: Implications for Youth ExchangeExchange

1.1. Interviews and Selection. Interviews and Selection.

2.2. Parent and Student Orientations.Parent and Student Orientations.

3.3. Hosting Inbounds.Hosting Inbounds.

4.4. Managing the exchange year.Managing the exchange year.

5.5. Communicating with the student, pre-Communicating with the student, pre-exchange, exchange and post- exchange, exchange and post- exchange.exchange.

6.6. And any other topics you wish.And any other topics you wish.