My kid's generation doesn't really have a shred of hope, does it?

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. It's a completely different paradigm, that's for sure.

It is so hard to compare generations, because they are so colored by history when our parents had us, as is the case when we had them - the differences in social norms and structure, the politics, the economy.

As a 60 year old, from poor parents, they had little interest in my activities or school - they were worried mostly about making ends meet and caring for their own parents - so we all just went out to play, and went to school to work hard. My school decisions were based on getting as good an education as possible, and job that would provide for my family. We did well - first real success story (educationally and financially) in our family. Biggie is that I could work part time in a grocery store and have enough to pay for my first car - and for my local college education (233 dollars a semester for my BA in chemistry and biology - which allowed me to go to Dartmouth for my PhD - and they paid me with a teaching stipend). I ended up with a good job in pharma, ability to support my family, retired with health benefits and a 401K.

Then we had our kids, got involved in their school, met the teachers, took them to sport and music lessons and events. They are in a world less focused on career - both my girls chose different paths, but neither have jobs that even approach the income I made - and that income hardly goes near what mine did. I can't see either with a house, or a really good paying job, job security, retirement account - it will be a daily/weekly/monthly struggle for them both, from where it looks from here. Income hasn't kept up with cost.

They are each happy in their own way because the times they grew up in - the social environment - the expectations - were and are different - apples and oranges when compared to mine and my wife's. I think they will find their own way, but it won't nearly resemble the course my wife and I took - or could it - we are all so unique, and so many variables color our experiences and expectations.

Not even thinking the rancid politics right now, and horrendous income inequality and all of the other inequalities, it is the environment that makes me the most concerned for the future - and for their lives. I do think they will be faced with unique challenges - but they are growing up in and around it, and it will be as normal for them as it becomes shocking to us.

My two cents, anyway.