I wonder

[Smitty37]

What the next generation will be like.

My father's parents provided for my dad until he was 16. After which he started contributing more to their household than he got from them and that continued until they passed away.

My parents provided for me (and my brothers and sisters) until we were 17 (in some cases 18). After that we started contributing more to the household than we got from it and that continued until they passed away.

I provided for my kids until they were 21 and didn't expect them to contribute to my household for many years after that, if ever. I did expect them to take care of themselves and one of them is making my life better with financial help - but I could be alright without the help.

It is highly unlikely that any of my grand children will leave home before they're about 23 or 24 (Master's Degree age), probably later and even less likely that they will ever contribute anything to their parents household.

I don't understand why we went from a nation where the the norm for "family caring" was a two way street where parents cared for children then children cared for parents, to what we have now where it seems like kids are never expected to grow up.

I think I'm glad that I'm old.

 

[bkersten]

I have no problem in being from the old school. I've seen some
young ones that if the finger buttons could not give them an
immediate solution say that there was none.

 

[ALA]

I can certainly relate to this...nicely written.

 

[edicehouse]

Well my brother in law is 30's or so, lives at home, no job, has the "new car" ect...... I think your evolutionary progress you are talking about has started.

 

[BlackPearl]

Or we are just growing further away from the farm, where everyone pitched in, because there was too much work for just one couple.

There were also huge Jumps in income potential, in your example, you assume advanced college degrees, My Great Grandfather or Grandfather never completed 8th grade, my Father did not have College but the world in the 50's allowed him to make a lot more than I will ever be able to even with a college degree, my Son is getting advanced degrees because he can not find a job in his field and it is a safe place to hide.

All of us have to labor less to get through life than the preceding generation did so help from the younger generation is less vital.

In my not so humble opinion.

 

[Smitty37]

Or we are just growing further away from the farm, where everyone pitched in, because there was too much work for just one couple.

There were also huge Jumps in income potential, in your example, you assume advanced college degrees, My Great Grandfather or Grandfather never completed 8th grade, my Father did not have College but the world in the 50's allowed him to make a lot more than I will ever be able to even with a college degree, my Son is getting advanced degrees because he can not find a job in his field and it is a safe place to hide.

All of us have to labor less to get through life than the preceding generation did so help from the younger generation is less vital.

In my not so humble opinion.

My example is my own family. I am thinking of the attitude.
My parents attitude was that they owed something to their parents.

My attitude was that I owed something to my mother and father.

Most of my children's attitude is that while we no longer "owe" them anything, they owe us nothing either.

I'm afraid my grand kids will have the attitude that their parents owe them forever and they never owe their parents anything.

I'm afraid that we're losing one of the most important links that holds a civilized society together.

 

[monark88]

What the next generation will be like.

My father's parents provided for my dad until he was 16. After which he started contributing more to their household than he got from them and that continued until they passed away.

My parents provided for me (and my brothers and sisters) until we were 17 (in some cases 18). After that we started contributing more to the household than we got from it and that continued until they passed away.

I provided for my kids until they were 21 and didn't expect them to contribute to my household for many years after that, if ever. I did expect them to take care of themselves and one of them is making my life better with financial help - but I could be alright without the help.

It is highly unlikely that any of my grand children will leave home before they're about 23 or 24 (Master's Degree age), probably later and even less likely that they will ever contribute anything to their parents household.

I don't understand why we went from a nation where the the norm for "family caring" was a two way street where parents cared for children then children cared for parents, to what we have now where it seems like kids are never expected to grow up.

I think I'm glad that I'm old.

Smitty, I've been thinking of this same thing these past couple years. I don't have an answer, just some thoughts on the subject. I have come up with pretty much the same thing you speak of.

You were very articulate in your thoughts. Thanks for bringing this up, I don't think I would ever have. I help to a small degree in making college a little easier, financially for my 2 G.Daughters. I don't have to, just feel its something I should do. I don't expect any pay back in the future. That way I won't be disappointed.

Russ

 

[ren-lathe]

Folks
I think a deal of the problem is the educational system we have today. In the past children were thought to think independently and make decisions, and to be responsible for what those decisions resulted in. Over time there has been a sift to "Do what we tell you with out thinking". Essentially follow me blindly no matter where I go. This leads to an unconscious dependency on authority. The more you are dependent the less you need to give, you just expect to take. My father went totally blind a number of years before I was born. He depended on no one except for transportation, worked 5 days a week and taught me how to work in wood using power tools as well as hand tools. If there was a problem figure it out do not throw up your hands and say it can not be done. But the biggest thing was take responsibility for your own actions, today it is McDonald's fault I spilled hot coffee in my lap or the maker of the vodka I drank and not me that I was driving drunk. In short we grew up a bit quicker and saw where responsibility lay.

 

[glycerine]

I have 3 daughters... I'm keeping them home as long as I can! :biggrin: