We all had jobs in the sixites and seventies, even as kids--paper routes, service industry, camp counselors, swim teachers. This was all long before we graduated from high school.
If a child wanted something above just the normal food, drink, basic clothing, back then they too had to work for it. Everyone in my family is a great success because we were raised to work hard if we wanted something and to expect no hand outs.
Kept us out of trouble (well all except me, who was the baby and very spoiled and as mentioned in an earlier post shuttled anywhere to be kept out of my Mother's hair). Boy did they end up paying for that neglect and spoiling (as did I) in the end. They usually do. God does have a sense of humor.
LOL..That will do it...Like another poster said we live for the most part so addicted to consumer products we have to be a 2 income family.
I came from a family of 6, 4 kids Mom and dad, we had 1 Phone!! Yikes.
And thier was no Call Waiting! none of my friends were able to reach me most of the time, I asked my mom for Christmas if I could have a phone? she said when you get a job to pay the monthly fees I will buy you the phone!
So at 16 I had a phone...Now a family of 6 everyone has a phone of thier own.