That's the most ridiculous thing I've read lately.

Here's The Guardian's take on the situation:

http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/mar/20/youth-subcultures-where-have-they-gone

It's jarring dude. That "holy crap when did I get so old I don't know what kids are doing" feeling.

It's a strange thing this growing old and handing over youth to the next generation, it seems one minute you're still too young and the next you're middle aged. I look back at events and people and think holy cow that was 20-25 years ago now! On a lot of fronts things haven't changed that much in that time, particularly if you compare the shifts in culture and fashion say from 1950-75, 1935-1960 or 1955-1980.

I certainly didn't recognise The Guardian's journalist's sixth form from my time there in 1987-89, we were a fairly earnest and respectable bunch with eyes set on careers and the pop music of the day. There wasn't any real rebellion or sub-cultures going on, as everyone was focused on going to university or polytechnic as it was very apparent that if you didn't, there were very limited opportunities job wise and apprenticeships had been over for nearly a decade by then.

Of course, I am talking about my experience, after finishing my fifth year in 1987: the only company, in a highly industrialised area, offering apprenticeships local to me was BNFL and only to a very select few i.e. half a dozen. Compare that with my parents generation, basically everyone, except for the dullards had an apprenticeship.

There is a revival of apprenticeships and your experience, certainly if in the early 90s, was unusual and not the norm.