[informavoracious]

I am not far behind you. But things have changed. Good luck finding a company that will keep you around 35 years and give you a pension these days (Unless you work for the govt). We reaped the benefit of the post WWII boom years. You could move out on your own after HS, survive on one income, work your way through college, and have job stability. It is harder today. It really is.

[oh8eleven]

It is harder today. It really is.
Paying for college is obviously much more expensive, but you can still go in the service to take advantage of the GI Bill. There are other things that are "easier" or better.
Two-four percent mortgages; transportable retirement accounts; food stamps; 10 year auto warranties (and cars that last 10 years); and soon, you can make $15/ hr to flip burgers!