Every generation is named by historians and marketing companies, as a means to "keep track" of people and learn about them, their tendencies, and similarities. There were the "Baby Boomers", "Generation X", "Generation Y", and so on. For a little more info you can check out wikipedia or this babyboomer website explanation for a brief overview. Basically, the idea here is that generations are often named.
However, what happens when these generational tendencies affect other areas of life: drive, competition, education, goals, beliefs, even voting? I partook in a family dinner conversation over the weekend regarding generational behaviors. We discussed how one family member heard that baby boomers are actually negatively affecting the beliefs of the current young children and their outlook on life. They're raising "smug" children, according to the article (see previous link) and teaching them narcissistic tendencies and to more or less "expect" things out of life. Is there no more personal responsibility? Everyone is just going to be given things because "they should be"? There are already problems with parents actually attending their students' job interviews or calling bosses to yell at them for giving their children poor work reviews (yes it does happen!) . . . but what does that teach anyone? When do kids learn to stand on their own two feet?
The next problem becomes, what happens when this starts to affect other areas of life? Now, I don't talk about politics, people have the right to their own beliefs, but I did find this rather interesting. A You Tube Video about young people and their outlook on politics and voting in the latest election. It's from 2008, and Bill O'Reilly interviews 2 law students, probing into their ideals regarding why they support Obama. Aside from the fact that it's frustrating how these two students want to be lawyers and can't come up with a solid argument, Bill O'Reilly pinpoints that the girl leans towards more of a socialist belief system, given her argument, which she finds insulting and vehemently rejects. All politics aside, the belief system there, that the government should support people who can't support themselves isn't a new ideal, but it's interesting to see the how many young people are thinking this way. However, given the generational upbringing, is this the result of children being brought up with a sense of entitlement? I'm not at all saying the candidate they support isn't qualified or wouldn't make a good president, I find it disturbing how little these voters actually know about how the world works.
However, who's fault is that? Is that theirs or their parents'? Does this idea of entitlement come from their upbringing or just what they've decided to believe. Because if you suggest upbringing, then it's the parent's fault for giving too much to their kids, but the only reason the parents could give so much was because they worked so hard for what they earned. But are they instilling that same work ethic in their children, today's students, and the future leaders of this country?
It's a bit like the chicken and the egg argument, but one worth mauling over in your head or with a friend for a while.
I agree, and I truly detest the belief of entitlement. But, I think that you've got the reasons wrong. I think this emerging "socialistic government" (and yes, its turning into a socialism) is spurred by four factors: financial status, work ethic, overprotection, and (although its sounds like discrimination) favoring minorities.
ReplyDeleteFinancial Status: In the United States, the bourgeois standard of living is considered the ideal standard of living and is emphasized through media and society. With the overuse of American concepts like "freedom", "liberty", and et cetera, citizens, in their minds, have abolished the class-system, which when focused on too much can serve as an impediment to society and when moderately taken to consideration can obviate greed. Nowadays, since the class-system is practically abolished, capitalism is starting to deteriorate. People who are carpenters, waitresses, truck drivers, and et cetera are starting to demand the amenities acquired by the upper-classes simply because they believe in a false definition of "equality" and are convinced that effort in labour exceeds all others'. Obviously, it is a call for socialism.
Now, the mention of labour brings us to work ethic. In this society, work is no longer a virtue. Virtues are now artificial beauty, apparel, technological acquisitions, and other such trivial things. It is now embedded in the the mind of the common man that individual effort is not the means of obtaining the desired, and the concept of work ethic has deteriorated into pathetic hedonism.
Overprotection: Few Americans are informed. Few Americans are knowledgable. Few Americans live in reality. In the United States, the majority of persons are unaware of the world, unacquainted with true poverty (only owning one television set is NOT poverty), and completely oblivious to the future. We are like overprotected, much too sheltered children. Schools are much too soft in rigor and curriculum, the media only touches on trivial matters, and the American has altered to a naricisstic man. Now, Americans act like spoiled, greedy children, only wanting more and more.
Now, for the most controversial of the four reasons, the emergence of minority groups. As a trend (NOT a stereotype)minority groups tend to live a low standard of living. As minorities are centered out with publicity, the voices of minority groups are gradually merging with the voices of majority groups: envy of the well-off, overexaggeration of discrimination, and the pathetic attempts to portray the idea that they are under-represented. The aforementioned has become the new politically-correct ideal, and those who oppose it are being singled out.
Wow. What a thorough explanation and one I sincerely appreciate. I would have to agree with you on all accounts. I think you said it perfectly and I enjoyed the dialogue. I would agree that the media plays a huge role in the ever-changing perception of what the average American thinks is "acceptable", "a given right", and "entitled" to him. There is also a growing number of "Cinderella Stories" leading those to believe that any old person (and dare I say every person) can go from "rags to riches". The funny thing is, these stories never explain the WORK involved in getting to the ultimate destination. Everything is always shown through rosy-colored glasses, leading the onlooker to believe that life should be easy and carefree - that things should just be given to them with even the simplest and most basic effort. Now, I teach (and i absolutely love my job) but these mentalities are now being shown in younger and younger children. Now, I understand that parents who have worked hard want to give to their children - I do, and I'm not negating the right to do so - but they are, without giving proper guidance and instilling a work ethic, in a sense, disabling their children. And, it's sad. It's sad to see how little, like you said, people know and how misinformed they are. I by no means "know all" - far from it - but being aware and understanding one's limitations and limited knowledge can help that person learn to be more aware of the world around him. Thank you very much for your feedback. Very well spoken argument.
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