There is little doubt that the snowflakes are making a rational economic decision when it comes to moving in with mom and dad.
Some of the reasons in the article may well be part of it.
The main reasons are more than likely that “they don’t have any other good choices”.
Lots of college debt. Few job prospects. Can’t pay the rent, much less pay anything back.
Sure, some could simply choose to work harder and claw their way out of debt and despair. Most people aren’t that smart or motivated.
So the way to preserve the most comfortable lifestyle at the least cost and effort and disruption to (their) lives is to move in with mom and dad.
Whatever else you want to call it, it certainly is, from their perspective, the most rational economic choice.
What is so hard to figure out about that?
If my kids want to stay at home they damn well better be helping around the house, at a minimum.
“Lots of college debt. Few job prospects. Can’t pay the rent, much less pay anything back.”
Well stated. There may be some validity to what this author is saying, but I’m more inclined to support your view––especially your observation about the lack of motivation. In fact, I’m inclined to think that is the real issue.
Much has happened to our society over the past few decades, and almost all of it hasn’t been good––unless one believes that a godless, dependent and globally-oriented socialist society is what we should be seeking. It is my contention that this relatively new mindset has been created and nurtured by three societal influences: the mainstream media, the educational system and Hollywood.
As you so correctly observe, in my judgment, our society, especially the youth, has been almost completely indoctrinated into this belief system. As a result, most are lacking any serious, independent motivation to achieve some measure of success on their own. In short, they expect it to be handed to them. When it’s not, they go home to mommy.
I, personally, assign almost complete responsibility for this societal failure to the leaders of the Catholic Church who, historically, pushed back against those institutions. Today they have all but joined them. Their position on illegal immigration and the redistribution of wealth are but two examples. Protestant and Jewish religious organizations still generally reject all of this diabolical thinking, but due to the fact that they’re so splintered renders them less effective in resisting it.
In my experience, your statement above is exactly correct. I see it time and again with women I date that are about the same age I am. They have one (or more...) children living at home in their mid 20's having graduated college and have few job prospects.
These are not young adults that received worthless degrees either. Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and more. They cannot find jobs. They don't just look local, they look out of state too. They're working multiple part time jobs trying to pay back student loans and have nothing left.
Then again, this is what happens when the Government "funds education" isn't it? The Universities hoover up all the "free" money from the Government then jacks up the costs for a college education. Tenured professors that work maybe three classes a week then sit by on their fat lazy asses to "think big thoughts" or write papers that no one else reads or even worse: runs some "government funded study" designed to get to the next step, and the next step and the next step of funding.
If this problem is to get fixed the answer is simple: get the Government out of the education business and make the universities actually COMPETE for kids.
That's actually starting to happen. I've looked at enrollment rates across Illinois State Universities and to a large degree the rates of incoming freshman has dropped pretty dramatically. Western IL University where my oldest son goes has lost over 4,000 students in the last 4-5 years. They used to have over 16,000 on campus daily, it's down to about 12,000 now (and still falling.)
Kinda bolsters your point doesn't it?
Good post on your part, thanks.
“There is little doubt that the snowflakes are making a rational economic decision when it comes to moving in with mom and dad.”
Rational only if you value short term comfort over pride and a successful future. This article gives young adults an excuse for not working hard, finding a job and being on your own like a big boy. If you cant afford an apt, find some roommates, if you have no money stop drinking, partying, buying the latest phones, clothes etc. I find it hard to believe it is more difficult today than it was for the last hundred years.
I always told my kids that you can work hard for a few years in school, or you can screw around in school and work hard for the rest of your life. The same advice also works for parenting. Parents who are lazy in the early years end up with kids with major problems later on they have to deal with for decades. If you MUST let your kid come home, put a short time limit on it. Dont let them become accustomed to sponging off you.
LOL.
Large numbers of 18-30 year olds making “rational” economic choices?
That’ll be the day.
And that is just one trade in one state.
And that is just one trade in one state.
What happens when they become "mom and dad," too? Will their children move in with grandma and grandpa?
Then what happens when grandma and grandpa pass away?
-PJ