Young Adults

[hc4361]

I believe that a lot of today's social problems are caused by extending childhood in to late teens, sometimes mid 20s instead of expecting and demanding that young adults contribute to the household financially and practically.

When I left school and started earning I was expected to give a third of my take home pay to my mother to help pay for my keep. From a young age I was expected to help around the house, garden and on the allotment. I was also encouraged to get a part time job from the age of 13. All of my friends seemed to be treated the same.

It seems to me that many of today's young adults are treated like young children, and behave like children with no sense of responsibility for themselves or others. Many don't seem to have a purpose in life unless it is for the own benefit.

This leads to boredom and dissatisfaction and gives them too much free time for bad behaviour and even criminal behaviour.

I know a lot of wonderful young adults who are industrious and thoughtful but I know too many who are utterly selfish and can see no point in doing anything they don't want to do. They expect everything to be handed to them on a plate, and if it isn't, some of them see nothing wrong in helping themselves to whatever they want by any means they can.

I think school leaving age should be put back to 15 except for the academically minded who hope to enter a profession that needs more than 10 years of education. Get the youngsters in to jobs and apprenticeships and make them pay their way. Give them self respect instead of keeping them in a state of suspended babyhood.

What do you think?

[wolf63]

I think that apprenticeships are a step in the right direction.

Other than that I don't know the answer, my cat is 14 but he seems to have his head screwed on.

Girls still tend to grow up quickly but boys can be stupid well into their 20s.

[hc4361]

Send them down the mines, they'll be too tired for mischief :D

[Spicerack]

I'm with you, HC.

[retrocop]

I agree there. Too many kids demand. "i want, I want". Usually indulged by their parents just to shut them up. Too much,"the world owes me a living" and a sense of entitlement. Certain governments certainly don't help by encouraging this sense of entitlement.

https://metro.co.uk/2019/09/18/dad-refuses-get-job-not-psyche-10764027/

[ummmm]

And how will they make the unemployment figures look lower?

It's not always the kids fault. Too many laws restricting the hours youngsters can work.

My kids paid rent as soon as they got proper jobs. I wasn't going to take money from them from their paper round wages. I stopped doing their washing and ironing when they were still in school and they have always been expected to clean up after themselves.

2 are in full time employment since they left school and the youngest is at university but works full time hours when not attending (he's lucky they have gave him the option to do that) He has to save his wages and budget it. He gets the minimum student loan which covers his rent and household bills, I buy his food. If he wants to party he has to pay for it.

All of their friends are in education or full time work so it could also depend on their circle of friends.

[jim360]

THings were so much better in the good old days, eh.

[dannyk13]

Things that the young now take for granted had to be earned back in the day. I left school aged 14 straight into work.My wage was handed straight to my mother who usually handed me back 10s (50p nowadays) and sometimes a little extra if I had helped with some chore or other.

[ummmm]

How do you know what the young take for granted?

[dannyk13]

Jim //THings were so much better in the good old days, eh.//
Yes, many things were.If I had the choice to either live now or back in the period of my youth I would choose the latter.

[jim360]

You and every other generation, danny :) rose-tinted specs much?

[dannyk13]

Ummmm, //How do you know what the young take for granted?// from my experience of 8 Grand children and 6 great-grandchildren.

[ummmm]

My mother wouldn't. She doesn't miss those days.

[ummmm]

So did you fail as a parent?

[EDDIE51]

Similar to me ! I was allowed to keep just £10 a week !

[dannyk13]

Jim //rose-tinted specs much?//
I don't know, that or fond memories.

[dannyk13]

Ummmm //So did you fail as a parent?//
Sorry, that went over my head,can you elucidate.

[sherrardk]

Not all youngsters are the same and it’s unfair to tar them all with the same brush.

My youngest four are in high school and I regard that as their ‘job’ although they will quite happily do chores if asked. My 15 year has to wait until he is 16 to get a job and he already has a plan.

My eldest is 19 and has just started uni. He had a year out and worked and paid keep. It’s unlikely he’ll get a part time job as he has to attend for uni for 4 1/2 days, undertake CPD and do placements but he is volunteering to join a scheme to go into schools to teach kids how to do CPR.

[ummmm]

Danny - you raised children who are raising ungrateful children who take things for granted.

[retrocop]

Well I think most of my generation and that of Danny's struggled with little but are now living comfortably in our own houses. How is your generation doing jim?
I bought a second house for our 30+ years son and his brother can't afford a mortgage either. No rose tinted spectacles. Just hard work day and night in all weathers and 'never scratching on the social'.

[dannyk13]

Ummmm I didn't say that they were ungrateful, I said that they take things for granted. I also resent your suggestion regarding my parent hood.