My thoughts exactly. There are many BB who are hard-working, good parents, and living decent lives and paying their bills as well as paying taxes and ss.
There are also many "old geezers" whose homes have become refuges for their adult children who are divorced (often w/children of their own), or who are unemployed and can't afford rent/food/etc., or who have dumped THEIR child/children (often "illegitimate") and left grandparents to raise a second generation of children, or who are "helping out" w/ their own children's "economic shortfalls" or w/their grandchildren's college expenses.
Painting either generation w/a broad brush is both inaccurate and dishonorable.
I couldn't agree more!
My parents (and grandparents) taught me two important lessons when I was growing up. First, nobody owes you anything. Second, if you want it, you go get it yourself. Third, see lesson #1 a second time.
The people who enable their children or grandchildren to adopt an entitlement mentality are a large part of the problem. Bad parenting is a huge problem in this country.
When I see people whining about their kids, I look at what I'm doing and I don't understand how they can let their kids get away with some of this stuff. I used to drive my Grandmother back and forth to my mom's house when I was in high school. Then I'd take a weekend a quarter and head up there after I left home and take care of things for her before she died. I never asked for a handout; I paid for everything including college myself.
Fast-forwarding to today, for the last six years, I've been trying to get my mom to let me pay off her mortgage, but she won't let me. I got a transfer back home, she insists I live with her until I find "the right house" and won't let me pay rent. Oookie. So I find other ways to compensate (sneaking in groceries, paying utility bills, taking her to the doctor, etc) -- the latest argument I'm embroiled in is over an inheritance. She's set to retire, I've asked her to just spend the money. I'm fine. She won't do it.
So, I just don't understand how people who raise their kids to be greedy little bastards can complain about it. They have created their own problem.