Most definitely. It's not 'the pill' that has led to a self-absorbed, lonely, and unhappy society. One factor that seldom if ever gets talked about is the that well-meaning, but off-base, 'greatest generation' and baby boomer parents pushed the concept of delayed gratification to their kids. 'Don't get married too early, don't have kids too soon. Enjoy your lives, and work hard now to enjoy future success and a better life'.
The problem with that is that too many people forget to have a life, and get too wrapped up in their 'personal' success and careers, etc., such that they put off forging close loving relationships and friendships, and having children. I strongly believe in working hard, taking personal responsibility, and avoiding the need for instant gratification. However, carried to an extreme this will just leave you empty later in life.
**The problem with that is that too many people forget to have a life, and get too wrapped up in their ‘personal’ success and careers, etc., such that they put off forging close loving relationships and friendships, and having children. I strongly believe in working hard, taking personal responsibility, and avoiding the need for instant gratification. However, carried to an extreme this will just leave you empty later in life.**
Well said.
I have two step sisters, and two (male) cousins, in their late 50s thru mid 60s that are exactly what you descibed.
“’greatest generation’ and baby boomer parents pushed the concept of delayed gratification to their kids.”
That’s not true. Maybe where you lived, but not in the South. The “greatest generation” always encouraged marriage to their children, and definitely for them to have children too. That was a normal life.
It was the media (TV shows, movies, magazines) which influenced that next generation...promoting material wealth as THE happiness in life. And unfortunately, so many young people believed that lie.