Why does Les say so many young people today are adrift and in trouble with the law?
Young people are adrift and in trouble with the law because they have not been given inhibitions to restrain the old Adamic nature. That rebellious, sinful nature is being let free, leaving them without principles, while affection is set on material things rather than things above.
Les explains that the younger generation's troubles stem from the old Adamic nature—the nature born in us that is rebellious against God and sinful in all its appetites. Normally, that nature is cleaned up or kept in check through inhibitions and what is called a good home upbringing. But many young people today have not been given those inhibitions, so the Adamic nature is let free. As a result, they are adrift, have no principles, and get into trouble with the law. Les also ties this to wrong affection: instead of setting affection on things above, people set it on material things.