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
When my husband and I I paid about $500,000 combined into social security, you better believe that I am not going to roll over and say that the government can keep it. No way, Jose. That is the liberal viewpoint, not the conservative.
Why so hostile, partner? I enjoy learning, and am grateful when someone shares their knowledge with me. You seem to take it as an insult.
I’ve worked in technology for 20 years, at companies large and small, and have found equality in salaries to be the norm, not the exception. Companies prefer native born developers. They generally communicate better, and are a better cultural fit for US companies. But there just aren’t enough available.
I’m no fan of H1B visas. I’d rather that income be going to fellow tax-paying citizens.
I earned my Eagle Scout when I was 15, having donating countless hours to my community. After that, I served six years in the military. Specifically, I joined one month before 9/11. After that I served as a congressional staffer for one of the top rated conservatives in the U.S. House of Representatives. While working full-time for such conservative I earned a law degree on my post-9/11 GI Bill. In between looking for a job that will allow me to support your socialism, I spend most of my time volunteering with the local bar association helping low income tenants facing eviction.
Oh yes you are. Unless you are an older baby boomer like myself.
The program is unsustainable just like all other aspects of socialism. It works until you run out of other people's money. That day if fast approaching.
I support any across-the-board reductions in Social Security. I don't support "means testing" and other nonsense that would turn it into just another welfare program.
I don’t know anyone who got a history degree but I suppose they could teach.
The technology job market is insane. If my company closed its doors today, I could literally be working at another firm by the end of the month. Maybe not an ideal position, but I’d have a paycheck.
Haha... on the plumber comment.
I don’t think you listened to my response...I basically said I DID NOT WANT IT! It was foisted upon my generation the same as it was on yours.
BTW, I love people who puff their chest out and rate their patriotism based on the service of others. Where did you serve?
Oh, I am getting it because I am an older boomer. When you throw money at people who did not pay into the system, like SS disability ,welfare, “nation building” etc.- I have no tolerance for the govt saying that there is no money for SS.
FunEmployed
The state of having no job, but being financially sound (ie. rich parents) enough to have no need to pursue employment or to have fear of consequences there in.
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By definition then, your generation is worthless left-wing commie wobblers. Don’t blame us for being forced to shoulder the burden that you left-wingers bestowed upon us.
Essentially, you boomers want your socialism, but don’t want anyone else to have it.
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Now, now. I wouldn’t go THAT far....
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If we ‘enjoyed one of the most socialist periods in American history’, as you state, it was AGAINST OUR WILL! And it accounts for the crushing burden of debt that not only my generation, but your generation, and your children’s children’s generation, will be stuck with.
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No offense, but YOUR generation had a longer chance of CHANGING the ‘AGAINST OUR WILL’ part. The Millennials...not so much.
And, no, the ‘burden’ is not *stuck* to anyone; as much as ANY ‘promise’ from any politician should. We have a Constitution against that which you describe (5th and 13th). Nobody is entitled to the fruits of another’s labor.
The illegality of those ‘promises’ need to end; as quickly as they began.
We are ALL *TAXED*, doesn’t mean anyone is OWED another penny should they vanish.
Well, good for you then, for Eagle Scout and serving in the military.
Please don’t tell me that you are looking for a job to support my socialism, as I am not responsible for socialism.
Why can’t you find a job? Did you pass the bar? Where are you located?
“Companies prefer native born developers. They generally communicate better, and are a better cultural fit for US companies. But there just aren’t enough available.”
Sir, I am sorry if I am coming across as a jerk, but there is so much empirical data that proves the above statement so wrong. Please don’t buy into the propaganda that your firm is pushing. I know that you have a nice job, nice family, nice home, and the H1B thing doesn’t directly affect you. But please, do some research on the above statement.
Also Federal Law sets a minimum prevailing wage for those on H1B. Employers literally cannot go below that number and get the visa approved. By contrast a native-born developer can lowball them if he so chooses. So theoretically a native-born guy can be CHEAPER than H1.
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.
You're telling me, they stink on ice!
Has any of the “researchers” addressed the impact of the “All Volunteer Force”?
Like it or not the DOD was always the employer of last resort when I was a young man , 1965 -1980. With the advent of the all volunteer force in the mid 1970s the demand for unskilled and over educated people (liberal arts college degree in history and education in 1969) dried up.
And, to be honest, I went career (20 years) because it offered me the best track for taking care of my family which was started in 1977.
Now, 40 years later the same economic factors exist but without a DOD doing any massive hiring and training.
The military is downsizing. They don’t need as many while doesn’t help. Also these kids grew up with parents who threw McD’s at them and sat them in front of a tv instead of having them go outside so 60 percent are not eligible for the military. The ones that could have been we’re giving nitilain and other drugs to keep them zombie like so the parents didn’t have to deal with them.
Ah, so you agree that it is being forced on them.
Is such a transfer of wealth a just trait to have in government?
And regulations. There's a reason for the typical "city shut down kid's lemonade stand" story: it happens. (And, if nothing else, it teaches that entrepreneurship is disallowed/punished.) — I truly wonder how much economic growth regulations of all sorts and all levels have cost us.
LOL. Now that is something I can agree with. I specifically know some classmates that told a partner at our term she couldn’t work Saturday because she had a brunch date with here sisters. I about fell out of my chair.
However, I am sure she’s on partner track by know.
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