In a column published Saturday, October 31, 2026, in the Valdosta Daily Times, local attorney, professor, and community volunteer Burton Fletcher addressed the prevalent idea that young people are unwilling to work. Fletcher suggested that this perspective doesn't capture the full picture, emphasizing instead that young people often need more genuine opportunities to prove their capabilities.
Fletcher argued that while guidance is essential for young individuals — covering areas like punctuality, good manners, financial responsibility, work ethic, and the importance of keeping one's word — an equally vital component is providing them with a real chance to apply these lessons. He noted that adults frequently assess young people based on their lack of experience, inadvertently creating a barrier that prevents them from gaining that very experience.
Many adults, Fletcher pointed out, can recall a specific individual who offered them a pivotal chance—be it a teacher, an employer, a coach, a pastor, or a neighbor. He highlighted that such acts of confidence and responsibility can significantly alter the direction of a young life. Instead of being shielded from every challenge, young people require adults who offer support, establish clear expectations, provide wise counsel, and allow them to learn through experience.
A first job, Fletcher stressed, offers lessons far beyond merely earning a paycheck. It teaches young individuals how to arrive on time, communicate respectfully, follow instructions, navigate disappointment, collaborate with diverse individuals, and take pride in completing tasks well. These practical lessons, he stated, are often not attainable through textbooks or digital screens.
Fletcher outlined a crucial role for local businesses, encouraging them to hire young people for entry-level positions, offer internships, or allow students to shadow employees for a day. He suggested that businesses can teach foundational skills in customer service, sales, bookkeeping, inventory management, marketing, construction, farming, technology, or other useful trades and professions. By investing time in teaching a young person, employers may not just fill a position but contribute to developing future employees, business owners, civic leaders, parents, or community volunteers.
Beyond businesses, Fletcher called on civic organizations, churches, schools, and nonprofits to open doors for young people. He recommended inviting them to serve on committees, help plan events, and engage in meaningful work rather than just observing. This involvement allows them to witness how meetings are conducted, budgets are managed, projects are organized, and community members collaborate for the common good.
Fletcher's column underscored that the goal is not to hand over responsibility without instruction, but to pair it with encouragement and accountability. He advised setting clear expectations, offering correction when necessary, praising good performance, and demonstrating that character, effort, and integrity hold significant value. He also recommended teaching practical life skills that many young people may not have learned, such as preparing for job interviews, writing resumes, balancing checking accounts, changing a tire, creating a simple budget, cooking, interacting respectfully with customers, and distinguishing between wants and needs. These skills, he wrote, are fundamental building blocks of independence.
Fletcher concluded by noting that while criticizing the next generation from a distance is easy, investing in them up close demands more effort but yields lifelong dividends. He affirmed that Valdosta and Lowndes County are home to bright, capable young people who are present in schools, churches, neighborhoods, and families. Some are eager for opportunities but unsure how to begin, while others may need a patient adult to look past initial rough edges or a lack of confidence. He urged business owners to open doors, retired individuals to mentor, those with skills to teach, and those with influence to connect young people with helpful resources. Trusting young people with real responsibility, he concluded, often inspires them to rise to the occasion, shaping the future of the community right now through encouragement, preparation, and inclusion.
