Cant argue with you on that point either.
But, Take a good long look at what workers paid in taxes in 1960 to 1965 and take a look at what they pay today.
So maybe the reason the parents of today buy their kids these things is because they feel a tad guilty that they are not able to be home?..and that maybe they buy them these things to try and keep them occupied while they are not at home?
What a shock my sister in-law had when she came home after a two day seminar and her eldest daughter had a party going on. Then, after clearing out the bums, she made an inspection and found several of those rubber thingys (used)laying around in, not only her daughters bedroom, but her own bedroon as well. Where is hubby? Well hubby is working and works an average of 12 to 14 hours a day. MOm works at least 10 a day. It aint cheap living in the burbs near a large city.
That's another point. Buying a home you can't afford and having kids you can't afford. More bankruptcies and whining.... all on the backs of people like me with common sense who know they can't afford every little thing and who would teach their kids how to work for their own toys instead of easing my 'guilt' as you put it.