As I write this, I believe that most people would agree with me that the US economy is currently “bad”.  Some might quibble over “how bad” or whether there is any improvement in sight, but I can’t image anyone that is actually aware of the basic facts who would say that the situation is anything other than terrible.

I think that part of the problem is with decadent youth.

Each generation raises their children with the hope that their kids will have a “better” life than they did.  Most people, if asked what is meant by a “better” life, would say an easier life - one with less difficulty and turmoil.  I would disagree; easier is not always better.  A difficult life builds character, and it teaches people to expect nothing for free.  A hard life conditions people to working for the things they want. 

What we gain too easily we esteem too lightly, as someone once said to me.  That is exactly what is happening with our youth; they do have “better” lives than we had and have come to take this easy life for granted.  Labor is easier with modern machinery… Working environments are cleaner with modern regulations… Hours are shorter while pay is higher with modern unions…  Entertainments require less physical exertion with modern technology…  And there is less need for a young person to work to support the family, even as more households have moved towards having two wage-earners. 

To illustrate my point, I want to provide brief accounts of two people that I have known fairly well:

My grandfather, who recently died, worked hard nearly every day of his life.  He started two businesses, and was working 60 to 70 hours per week even in his early seventies.  Several times I remember him explaining to me that a younger worker couldn’t handle the overtime that was necessary, so he had to stay and make sure things got done.  My grandfather thought nothing of working long hours, even if the pay wasn’t exceptional.  He knew that things had to get done, and he made sure they were done right.  It wasn’t something he thought about, it was just a way of life for him.

A friend of mine (who shall go nameless, as my comments here will not be very complimentary) who is now in her early twenties recently spoke with me.  She was without a job, but not particularly troubled by the fact.  Her days consisted of chatting online, watching movies, playing games, and reading.  It didn’t bother her that she contributed nothing to society, nor that other people paid for everything that she owned and consumed.  She was content to live by means of government welfare, and had no expectation of ever entering the workforce.

Of course these two examples are extremes; I’m sure there were lazy people in the 1940’s and that there are hard-working young people today.  My point is that we all know older people that worked HARD all their lives… and we all know younger people that don’t seem to even recognize the concept of real work.

I believe that the work-ethic - or lack thereof - which has so declined in the current generation is one of the primary reasons why the US labor force can no longer compete with other countries in the global economy.  I believe that this lack of a real work ethic is one reason why outsourcing started, and why it is likely to continue.  I believe that a generation of decadent youth has truly become one of the problems with our economy.

Tags: Decadence, Economy, unemployment, Youth