What? You need to (ugh) WORK for money?
by Harvey
The concept of “earning” - does it really need to be taught?
Here’s an interesting post
from an early stage Generation Y’er (born late 1970’s) commenting on a disturbing trend for late stage Gen Y’ers - kids in their late teens. Only 48% of older teenagers have summer jobs, dramatically lower than just 10 years ago. I would imagine she sees much of this “new” attitude in her role as a corporate recruiter.The connection between effort and results (just like work and income) is not genetic - it’s learned at home and at school. And so is the opposite: the expectation of handouts - the dreaded “entitlement” attitude. Kids are not taught to expect handouts deliberately, but that’s the lesson they receive when there’s no connection between effort and results. These handouts masquerade as “let kids be kids”, or “enhance their self-esteem” - all well-intentioned, but so is that ol’ road to ummmm, heck.
I want my kids to be kids too. I want them to have fun, enjoy their childhood, have carefree times they’ll look back on fondly. But I also want to equip them with what they’ll need to be successful in life. I send them to school for that reason. And I teach them values I consider important - maybe even the concept of “earning”. And maybe even with some humor.
Like how funny it is that hard work usually delivers great results 
July 30th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Last time I checked, there have been no hand-outs for me as an adult. And there is nothing more of a turn off than an adult with a sense of entitlement or expectations that are inappropriate. I have 4 kids and it is manageable in large part due to the lesson of earning and contribution to the family that my wife and I and this program provides.