Posted on 08/15/2016 11:06:57 AM PDT by Lorianne
Millennials are not some vast unsolvable mystery. According to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau (PDF), they earn $2,000 less than their parents did at a comparable age, they are more likely to live in poverty, and they are more likely to live at home.
But Baby Boomers and Gen Xers still seem to find it hard to believe that basic economic math can explain much of the younger generation’s behavior.
After several news outlets, including The Daily Beast, reported that rates of millennial sexual inactivity in early adulthood are surprisingly high, armchair social theorists came out in force to blame it on everything but the fact that nearly one-third of young adults are still living at home.
One right-wing college news website found a way to attribute the finding to millennials’ desire for “safe spaces.”
Conservative New York Times columnist Ross Douthat speculated on Twitter that it was an example of the “porn paradox,” whatever that means. Others attributed it, predictably, to the effects of technology or increased anxiety. A Rutgers biological anthropologist even suggested that millennials might be too “motivated” and “ambitious” to even bother with sex.
The most likely explanation—which was mentioned in the study itself—is that parents’ basements do not make great boom boom rooms. But who needs Occam’s razor when you’re publicly opining about the behavior of an entire generation? Lower wages sending 22-year-olds back home after college isn’t nearly as sexy as complaining about porn or political correctness.
The truth is that lower wages and poverty can account for so many of the things that older generations find so mystifying about millennials.
For example, millennials drive less than their parent’s generation—and until recently, at least—were relatively uninterested in buying cars. As The Atlantic reported in 2012, this crisis prompted automakers to appoint “youth emissaries” and come up with new car colors like “techno pink” and “denim.”
But trying to make cars cooler doesn’t change the fact that, as CityLab found, there’s a significant gap in vehicle miles traveled between millenials who make over $30,000 a year and those who make less. Simply put: Cars cost money and millennials have less of it.
Millennials have also been shamed for how much they spend eating out instead of say, saving for retirement. “Millennials Are Spending an Embarrassing Amount on Brunch and Takeaway Pizza,” Vice recently declared.
It’s easy to chalk that generational difference up to some sort of narcissistic short-sightedness but the truth is probably a lot closer to fatalism: When millennials can’t save for retirement anyway, why not spring for some bottomless mimosas instead of enrolling in a 401(k)?
SNIP
Familiar with Venezuela? Having no tolerance for what the government says is unrelated to the degree of suffering imposed by that government.
You and I don't deserve Social Security any more than a victim of a Ponzi scheme deserves the reward promised by the perpetrator of that scheme.
You and I will only benefit as long as the working majority tolerates it. We are already seeing the many ways in which the competitiveness of the U.S. economy is crippled by programs such as Social Security. Within a generation we will see massive changes. There is no alternative.
William, Social Security has $300,000 of my money FRiend.
not this one
Who voted for Obama and all the Democrats that made horrendous regulations stifling business in this country? The Millennials.
The boomers have been paying the freight for a long time, supporting the greatest generation and now the milllenials.
I expect to get my money from SS.If not, fine. I will pack up and move to another country where the cost of living is cheap so I dont have to worry about finances.
Take my money with me, and not pay federal income tax anymore.
A country who does not live up to its promise is a country I will leave.
No apology necessary, but thank you.
My company isn’t pushing any propaganda on me. I have a staff, I do the hiring, 30 minutes from a major US city. I hire US natives whenever possible because I value good communication above just about every other qualification. There aren’t enough US-born applicants in my pool of applicants. There just aren’t.
I can only talk from my experience, obviously, but colleagues at other firms tell me I’m not alone. Maybe things are different in other parts of the country.
Agree 100%. Additionally, DOD is outsourcing many of the traditional skills that the military taught. For example, cooks, welders, construction jobs, carpentry, all of that is outsourced to DOD contractors.
Now, take into account that the military is pandering to queers and women, what self-respecting person would want to be a part of that?
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its MUCH harder for younger people to even get going...
they follow the rules..
pay taxes
buy obscene car and health insurance..
try to save in our upside down economy where saving is punished...
they were promised all this wonderful “Friends” life and instead, they get mundane jobs with diminishing prospects...
our taxing policies have basically destroyed their chances...
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IMO, incorrect is one aspect: TAXES have a rightful purpose. It’s our our UNCONSITUTIONAL, Socialist policies that have destroyed OUR chances.
Just look at the thread to see the ‘entitlement’ vs. ‘resentment’ mentality (the latter, rightfully so). It’s only going to get worse once the bleeding-dry REALLY kicks in. The Grand-parents vs. Grand-children political battle is going to get HEATED.
Oh, horror to the politician on whom to pander. /s
have not added it up, but same story. i have only, ever paid in (for over 40 years), with no prospects of quitting work.
people who voted for obama and would vote for crooked clinton are enabling millions and millions of America-haters and people who won’t work — to take my money.
one thing i agree though - many boomers have made sure THEY are covered while they vote to take everything from me. they are as morally bankrupt as clinton.
I am proud to be the parent of two young people, both of whom graduated college, both gainfully employed and self-supporting. They were raised with minimal input or support from their father. My influence as their mother no doubt had an impact on their service and success. I “serve” by being an exemplary citizen, paying my own way and taxes, and not asking for anything from you or others.
I do not “rate my patriotism” based on the service of others. And if you do not think being the parent of deployed military is worthy of being called “service” or “patriotic”, then maybe you will get to experience it yourself someday, and see what it is like.
I am familiar with Venezuela. As far as I can tell, the poor people were promised goodies from the government, but did not pay anything int the system. Now, they are still poor. I have no sympathy for Venezuela.
However, my generation poured a lot of money into these programs, in which the selfish generation of millenials do not want to contribute.
Soft, lazy children. Why work when the parents will give everything for free? Dr. Spock was an idiot.
I did the math for my situation. The money would be approx $750,000 and would be mine.
“I’m 83. That’s EXACTLY what we said about hippie Boomers in the 60s,”
yep. Now those idiots have had kids and grandkids who are worse than they were.
“The big problem with H1B now IMHO is that 90% of them are getting hired on fake resumes, and they do NOT actually have the experience and expertise that they claim.”
Truer words have never been spoken.
I was only burnt once by that. From that point forward I would ask technical questions of even the most “experienced” applicants.
Have you worked with technology x? “Yes”
Give me a brief summary of technology x. -silence-
You were the one that called my patriotism in question by insinuating that I had not served. Sorry is me calling yours into question for lack of service upsets you.
Not at all.
I propose that we begin a twenty year program to end Social Security. Payments will decrease by 5% of this years payment for the next twenty years. Payments into Social Security will decrease by the same ratio.
Most people who are twenty years from retirement should already be planning to get no benefits, so I think this program would be workable.
Yes, I am selfish. I do not believe the government has any right to any fruits of my labor. Why don’t you cut an additional check to the IRS on April 15 to prove you’re not selfish?
Fixed it for you.
You are wrong I was at a graduation in Ft. Knox this past June where 500 cadets a week passed through on their way to senior year of college. You should keep you mouth shut.
I only get one vote. How many do you get?
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