Is hypocritical thinking common with age? (community, relative, graduate, respect)
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I noticed as I get older, (I'm 39) I tend to pass judgment on younger folks for some of the very same things I did when I was their age. Though now, I know better, I realize that the knowledge I have now derived only through wisdom and age.
I also find myself subconsciously dismissing younger peoples opinions because they're so young, even though I specifically remember being frustrated with not being taken seriously by older generations when I was that age.
That said, I notice a lot of folks in the retirement community do not want their tax dollars spent on various educational or social programs even though they and their children benefited from the same sort of programs growing up.
Take for instance, vocational programs in high schools, many of which have disappeared all together along with funding for sports and various extracurricular activities. I realize inflation has made the costs associated with these things more expensive, but is there a general trend to take what you can, and let the latter generations fend for themselves?
I have two boys in high school that participate in more than one sport. Their mother and I spend roughly $600/yr out-of-pocket for their respective programs. When I played sports in school, my parents didn't have to fork over a dime. Next, the cost of college is astronomical compared to just when I attended college and I'm dreading the upcoming expense. Are the older generations generally unaware of the burden the younger generations face or just apathetic to it?
Are the older generations generally unaware of the burden the younger generations face or just apathetic to it?
I think the older generation are very aware that many of the much younger generation feels significantly more "entitled" and owns many more gadgets, goodies, toys, were given cars by their parents, wear clothing designer outfits, etc. than they did at the same age and feel the burden is far greater on the senior generation rather than the younger (not all, of course).
I believe that a lot of older people need something to do, so complaining and criticizing is almost a hobby for enjoyment.
I think the younger generation needs to get out and get a job at 18 like many of the seniors did, even those who later went on to university, for which they paid themselves.
And all that binge-drinking we see the younger generation do? Spring break? Really? Ridiculous waste of money and brains.
I agree, however you do realize college tuition is not attainable on today's entry level wages? The costs are like 600% higher than when previous generations attended school.
While I agree that there is a greater focus on material items, those like myself (Gen X'er) are not hyper-focused on owning stuff. We're just trying to give our kids what our parents provided for us and its getting increasingly more difficult to do so.
I think the younger generation needs to get out and get a job at 18 like many of the seniors did, even those who later went on to university, for which they paid themselves.
And all that binge-drinking we see the younger generation do? Spring break? Really? Ridiculous waste of money and brains.
Go ahead and inflation-adjust the tuition you paid. My first degree was in English Literature (a respectable degree then because companies cared more that you had a degree than they cared what it was actually IN, with the exception of specialty employment like engineering). It cost the inflation-adjusted sum of $2,400 for a 4 year degree. My last graduate degree, which I went back for in the late 90s, was closer to $28,000 and that was because I had teaching stipends. If I went back now that degree would be almost $45,000.
When I was 18 or so, I never lacked for a job because they were EASY to get. Although I had no technical training, computers were just coming in to the workplace and I found them relatively easy to decipher. So I'd take a job, spend a month or so learning the (usually completely unique) system, spend 6 months or so getting really good at it and then leave at around a year or so later because I was bored stiff. I don't think I spent more than a week or so looking for new jobs.
That is not an option now. Finding a job with relatively few qualifications is tough and any job you do get is likely to be part-time and not pay a wage that afford you the same (admittedly tiny) solo apartment my jobs paid for. The part-time, lousy pay thing for what was full-time clerical and and semi-blue-collar is relatively recent, as is the "on-demand" scheduling, where you don't necessarily even work hours for a week, you are simply told that you must be available certain hours in case your employer needs you and calls you to come in.
The "spring break" thing started long ago - as early as the 1940s or 1950s in Florida and was in full swing by the late 70s/early 80s.
Pull off those "get off my lawn" spectacles and actually LOOK at what the latest generation is going through, preferably with a bit more sympathy and empathy. I would pay money NOT to be 18 again, mostly because of the world that older generations (myself included) created.
I totally agree PNW. Right now I have nearly $160,000 in student loan debt from undergrad and law school. It's pretty difficult to get ahead when starting out in the hole.
I was talking with a woman whose son is attending Syracuse University. I have not seen the numbers myself, so what I heard is 2nd hand info and I do not know how truthful it is. But she told me for one year at SU the tuition was $68,000 ---- how the heck can they charge that much? And what is all that money for?
It spells just one word to me.....GREED
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