Yep, I happened to lose my dad in the middle of high school and was working graveyard then to to help pay the mortgage at home.
Such is life, we all get what we are dealt, but thank God I was born an American.
In my case I was the oldest of nine, the money just wasn't there. I find it disturbing to hear how these xers whine and blame us for their lack of direction. I've raised five (19-31) and they'd all laugh at some of these kids (Well four of them would but hey, four out of five ain't bad).