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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;robinjojo, post: 4330527, member: 110226&quot;]While it is true that Gen X and Millennials have their fair share of layabouts, I can give you a perspective on the generational differences.</p><p><br /></p><p>Both of my parents were teachers in the Detroit school system, my dad for his full career and my mother up until she got her PhD, moving on to teach at a community college. Both grew up in the depths of the Great Depression, experiencing its deprivations, especially for my dad, who was paid in script for a while by the school district, for lack of funds.</p><p><br /></p><p>My parents worked hard, raising three kids in a nice neighborhood in the northwest part of the city.&nbsp; As teachers they were both eligible for pensions.&nbsp; When my dad passed away in 1976, my mother received his pension, so when she retired she received both her pension and his, a very generous benefit indeed, plus a very good health plan that included dental coverage.</p><p><br /></p><p>I, as a Baby Boomer, spent my entire career in both non-profit and government employment.&nbsp; As a county employee I retired with a good pension, plus a health plan, but one that is more limited in benefits (no dental).&nbsp; Further, as employees at a local non-profit, my wife and I were able to buy a house in Cupertino in 1993.</p><p><br /></p><p>Fast forward to today.&nbsp; Pensions are non-existent in the private sector, and they exist in the public sector on a spotty basis.&nbsp; Housing costs have skyrocketed, especially on the coasts over the past 30 years, really accelerating over the past five years.&nbsp; Other costs, including especially transportation, healthcare and post-secondary education have encumbered high levels of debt for many individuals and families, debt that continues on even during a pandemic.&nbsp; Another complicating factor is wage growth, which as remained stagnant for over 20 years. </p><p><br /></p><p>All of these factors have a snowballing effect on the ability of younger people to prosper and have fulfilling lives.&nbsp; Many people hold down more than one job to help make ends meet.&nbsp; Yes, there are people who are slackers, and that includes many of the wealthy who inherited their wealth, but I would dare say that the vast majority of younger people are hard, conscientious workers who are trying to move ahead to attain the American Dream.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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