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Why Johnny Can't Work
http://www.collinsreport.net ^ | 12/12/09 | bruce karlson

Posted on 12/12/2009 6:17:08 AM PST by brucek43

It truly amazes me that so many are slack jawed when considering the dismal state of “youth” (under twenty four!!) unemployment. First of all, many readers of this had actually done things, created an income stream, and no longer considered themselves to be “youths” after the age of eighteen. At nineteen, by example, I was responsible for all radar and radio equipment on a destroyer and had 5 other Electronic Techs under me. I had caddied, delivered newspapers, bussed tables, etc. before joining the Navy. When I was discharged, I had to find a way to finance college and did, mostly by working. Somehow it all happened and I did not think much about it. Many readers had similar experiences.

In other words, we had not spent our childhood or “youthhood” waiting for someone to take care of us. If we wanted to play baseball, we had to mark a field, find the equipment, chose up sides and (most fun of all) adjudicate calls. We did not wait for a bus to get to school, at least not one dedicated to our service. If one of us was ht by a car on the way home, there was no thought that the school was liable.

Perhaps the motivation for much of this was a profound desire to move out of their houses and be on their own. No one I knew would voluntarily remain in Mom’s house once able to break free. Usually the first demarcation was one of the Armed Services or college. Once gone, why go back??

To the present: Johnny is now 18 and had NEVER been required to take a decision. He was bussed to and from school or indulgent parents became his chauffeurs. He was driven to soccer practice and too often fed

(Excerpt) Read more at collinsreport.net ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Education; Government; Politics
KEYWORDS: generationy
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Johnny can't work
1 posted on 12/12/2009 6:17:08 AM PST by brucek43
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To: brucek43
Johnny and Jill are TATTOOED and PIERCED and they look DIRTY!!! Those Tats and Piercings Scream..."I MAKE STUPID DECISIONS", so WHO wants to Hire them????

I have walked away from people in the food industry whne they have these because they just seem DIRTY and SLOPPY.

2 posted on 12/12/2009 6:20:07 AM PST by Ann Archy (Abortion,,,,,,the Human Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: brucek43
Johnny frightens me at times.


3 posted on 12/12/2009 6:22:37 AM PST by paulycy (Demand Constitutionality.)
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To: brucek43
course not. Jony cant reab or writ or spel and has the ADD and Dyslexia, compounded with excess and or no self esteem depending on what meds he's on today...
4 posted on 12/12/2009 6:28:57 AM PST by Chode (American Hedonist *DTOM* -ww- I AM JIM THOMPSON!)
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To: brucek43

So....what’s his solution? From what I’ve read, a lot of kids don’t qualify for the standards for military service, but we seem to break recruiting records.

It seems like the usual inter-generational squabbles about the “kids these days...” They said the same thing when I was a teen in the late 70’s and the kids before me (including his generation). No one ever thinks the next generation will amount to anything...and yet they do.

BTW, I know that “this group really is the worst ever,” because my age group was also the worst and the intervening was even worst-er.

BTW2, I find piercings and tattoos disgusting too.


5 posted on 12/12/2009 6:39:54 AM PST by perez24 (Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap.)
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To: brucek43

Who wants to pay 7.25 to slackers.


6 posted on 12/12/2009 6:56:09 AM PST by Sybeck1 (Remember the reason for the season.)
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To: perez24
BTW, I know that “this group really is the worst ever,” because my age group was also the worst and the intervening was even worst-er.

But most members or previous generations managed to adapt once they entered the job market. More and more articles on "trophy kids" and other problems young employees bring to the workplace suggest they aren't adapting as previous generations have.

7 posted on 12/12/2009 6:58:50 AM PST by Will88
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To: brucek43
Johnny can't work

Johnny's idea of "WORK" would be having to use a rotary phone, or even worse, having to get off his lazy A$$ to change a TV channel

8 posted on 12/12/2009 7:07:24 AM PST by OBXWanderer
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To: perez24; brucek43; Chode; reaganaut

Moral renewal is the only solution; as it cannot be mandated collectively by government, but only acted out individually, it often seems (and is) insufficient to succeed.

As to the ‘worst group ever,’ I am reminded of the collection of historical quotes that often goes around in e-mail about how the younger generation is disturbingly lacking in virtue. The point is supposed to be that old grumps have always so complained, even in great societies, so things will be fine now. However, all of these societies COLLAPSED not long after the complaints were made. The anti-grumps saw their society’s material progress and thought, “It can’t happen here,” too. Death and destruction DID come from moral decay, and the survivors lived under new masters, a new religion, or both.


9 posted on 12/12/2009 7:13:13 AM PST by mrreaganaut (Sticks and stones may break my bones, but lawyer jokes are actionable.)
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To: brucek43

>>Too many “Johnnys”, are simply slugs waiting for an employer to call or Mom to make dinner.<<

Sounds about right. I know a Johnny. He’s not a bad kid. Trouble is, he’s not an adult either.


10 posted on 12/12/2009 7:13:22 AM PST by FelixFelicis (When can we *change* back? [Get yer bumper sticker at www.cafepress.com/deepright!])
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To: brucek43
Yet....In contrast there are the homeschoolers.

My husband and I owned a health clinic. (My husband managed it and I was one of the doctors.) We had children in the office every day. The contrast between the homeschoolers and those who attended government school was astonishing.

The homeschoolers looked me in the eye when speaking. They were enthusiastic about their studies and hobbies, and were excelling in developing their talents. Many were running small businesses of their own even though they were just kids. All dressed modestly. I can't think of one exeception where the child was not years ahead academically. And...I have never met a homeschooler who was obese if they were homeschooled from the beginning. In fact, I don't recall even having known a chubby one.

In contrast, the government schooled kids had that 20 degree off centered stare when I spoke to them. Their responses were sullen nods or monosyllabic grunts. The teens were covered with tats and piercings. Although there were a few exceptions to this, there were not many.

Is it in the best interest of the “education-industrial-complex” to have medicated and infantile children who lack self confidence, or independent self assured children? Which will lead to more jobs, more money for the unions, and more security for the Marxist government teachers who run the system? Which set of children is more easily indoctrinated in the dialectics of Marxism?

By the way,...My three homeschoolers were finished all college general requirements and Calculus III by 15. By that age two were earning their own spending money by tutoring. Another covered all his personal expenses by coaching in his sport. The two younger earned B.S. degrees in math by the age of 18. At 18 one was teaching college students as part of her graduate degree program. The oldest was **proud** to be fully independent financially and living on his own ( except for tuition) at the age of 16 through his coaching business.

11 posted on 12/12/2009 7:18:18 AM PST by wintertime
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To: OBXWanderer

Johnny has been mollycoddled all his life—no challenges—everything given to them on a silver platter—no wonder they think they are all little princes and the world owes them a living—just wait—Obama will fix this all right.


12 posted on 12/12/2009 7:18:38 AM PST by Forward the Light Brigade (Into the Jaws of H*ll)
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To: brucek43

You’ll get out of them what you expect. Nothing has been expected of them, which is why they haven’t done anything. Their upbringing (read: their parents) is just as responsible for this situation as they are.

That said, I work with people this age all the time (in the military), and there are indeed some squared away, very driven people in this age group.

There are also a bunch of idiots.

Hmmm...that sounds like the average population, doesn’t it?


13 posted on 12/12/2009 7:19:14 AM PST by Future Snake Eater ("Get out of the boat and walk on the water with us!”--Sen. Joe Biden)
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To: brucek43

I was an assistant manager in a 30,000 sq. ft. grocery store when I was nineteen. Sheesh.


14 posted on 12/12/2009 7:21:45 AM PST by SonnyBubba
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To: brucek43

I am sick and tired of people disregarding these kids. My son is 19 today. He is working, unloading 5,000 lbs of paving stones as I write this. There are no jobs out there, with this economy, a lot of the jobs that one would have, even working retail while in school, are being taken by older people who have lost their jobs. Laborous jobs are taken by illegals.

And to think that they won’t join the military??? You had better be a stud to get in. My son is joining the Marines next week, he has been talking to the recruiter since his senior year in HS, at that time they had lots of spots open. Yesterday, he called the very same recruiter, the Marines are 2 years ahead of their quota! They are in the position to be picky as they want. Luckily, my son scored alpha on the practice ABSVAB and is extremely physically fit.

There are a lot of young people out there that are not afraid of work. My son is dropping out of school because he can’t live on his own and pay his bills while he goes to school. He had planned on the military after school but now he is switching it around. Granted, I do see a lot of deadbeats out there, but most I know are not.


15 posted on 12/12/2009 7:27:56 AM PST by panthermom
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To: mrreaganaut
I am reminded of the collection of historical quotes that often goes around in e-mail about how the younger generation is disturbingly lacking in virtue.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

They were called the “Gay Nineties” ( my grandparents), the “Roaring Twenties” ( my parents), and the “Hippie Generation” for a reason.

And...It is getting worse. Only a religious revival will save us.

A Christian’s **most** important mission field is his own children. A church's **most** important and urgent mission is the children of its own congregation. Yet, year after year children at sent into government schools and taught how to think, believe, and evaluate everything they do through the lens of a godless worldview.

The “Gay Nineties”, the “Roaring Twenties”, and the “Hippie Generation” all coincided with the introduction of massive government institutionalization of children in government schools.

If we want to turn this nation around then we **must** get children into private schools or homeschool co-ops, that are religiously and politically conservative. We **must** work to shut down the government K-12 schools...all of them!

16 posted on 12/12/2009 7:28:56 AM PST by wintertime
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To: wintertime

There you go with that broad brush again. lol

Though he’s worked since he was 16, my 19-year-old public school graduate decided to switch jobs a couple of months ago. He was well aware of the economic situation but said “I’ll find SOMETHING.” He spent eight hours a day putting in applications and the rest of the time doing odd jobs for people to make some money. On every application and in every interview he said he would do ANYTHING and work ANY shift, holidays, weekends, etc. He had a job (and other offers) within three weeks.

We’ve always told him we would pay half of his college costs and the rest was up to him. He said he wanted to pay for all of it himself. He did his homework (no pun intended) and is taking as many courses as he can through our local community college because they are taught by the same professors as the university at 1/3 the price.

He is an excellent public speaker. When he didn’t sign up for the competition that was held to give a speech at graduation, the school administration signed him up. He won first place.

His favorite attire is a suit and tie.

Far from obese, he’s 6’2” and was thrilled when his weight finally reached 150.

Yes, he has a tat. It’s a cross with “John 14:6” on it. He put a lot of thought into the design and the location. It isn’t visible unless he’s not wearing a shirt.

He’s kind, thoughtful, considerate, honest and a good listener. I’ve don’t think I’ve ever heard him speak ill of anyone (wait... do sisters count?) and I’ve never heard anyone speak ill of him. To top it off, he’s fun to be around!

I know many other public school kids like him. I think you’re clouding the issue by inserting homeschooling into it. It’s what’s taught at home... regardless of the educational choice. The parents that homeschool, for the most part, are obviously involved in their children’s lives. There are also public school parents who are involved in THEIR children’s lives.

That’s what matters.


17 posted on 12/12/2009 8:05:02 AM PST by nodumbblonde (Never kiss a cat while you're wearing lip gloss.)
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To: nodumbblonde
If your son had come into my office, he would have been one of the exceptions.

Good job. Your son managed to beat the odds.

18 posted on 12/12/2009 8:09:39 AM PST by wintertime
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To: panthermom

Happy birthday to your son! And congrats to him on making the cut. He sounds like a fine young man.


19 posted on 12/12/2009 8:09:44 AM PST by nodumbblonde (Never kiss a cat while you're wearing lip gloss.)
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To: perez24

The military is suffering with the extremely low skill levels. My son is a college grad and chose to be an enlisted man in the army (he is an NCO) and he said many of the kids in his company are hardly able to fend for themselves and have zero motivation. Thank poor parenting, mediocre schools and making sure we don’t damage kids “self-esteem” which has given us a stupid and pliable populace, just what the libtards love.


20 posted on 12/12/2009 8:16:57 AM PST by dumpthelibs (dumpthelibs)
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