My Father was an immigrant from Sicily, (not a Neanderthal) when he was 14 (oldest son) his father died. He was the head of the family and had to help his mother raise 5 other children. He went to work and did so. Mind you there was NO welfare, NO Social Security only Churches and charity and as a Sicilian he was not thought of very HIGHLY in that day and age.
My point is that we as a society have back slid and today some 35 year olds are much less mature than my generation was at 17. Devolution anyone?
Agree, My Great Grand Dad, was the eldest he went to work when he was 14, share cropped, served in the Militia, labored and then contracted on the railroad. Married ran a general store, died an honored man.
My Great Grand Dad was a Mormon, and he was not thought of very highly, Sicilians may be a bit hard headed, but we all have a story to tell.