Nothing to Work For?

Today at work a friend of mine mentioned that her twenty-something daughter had just completed her second day at her new job.  She came home and told her Mother that she didn't like working because it was hard to get anything done when you had to work all day.  After I picked myself up off the floor from laughing, I realized that it's a sentiment shared by many of the over-educated, never held a job young people who are floundering around while Mommy and Daddy carry them on their health insurance and pay their rent, their cell phone bills, hell, they're paying all of their bills.  My friend and I discussed how her children and all of their friends have come of age during the recent recession and part time jobs have been non-existent, so they've never had the chance to "work their way" through college, (not that they needed to, guilty parents have paid all of their expenses).  A female attorney friend of mine finally had a "come to Jesus" meeting with her 28 year old son who has never held a job in his life.  Chris graduated from college 4 years ago, summered in Europe with his friends and then settled into the pool house.  Mom is a successful litigation attorney, but she's finally reached her limit, "I'm spending $30,000.00 a year in upkeep paying my son's bills," she explains.  "It's embarrassing, and I'm fed up."  She pointed him towards the door and told him Lowe's was hiring down the street.  Chris was not happy and told her he expected a managerial position so make some calls.  She feels like she's being blackmailed.  Psst, Ms. Powerful Attorney, you ARE being blackmailed....by your own son!

As someone who's worked since she was 13,  I have to admit I don't know anything BUT getting up and going to work everyday.  I have a work ethic inherited from my parents who spent years working a 7 day workweek.  For me, working is a part of my DNA.  When my friends and I sit around and dream about what we would do if we win the Lottery; my answers always include owning my own business (along with a lot of traveling the world).  I feel sorry for the generation of too much.  When you've had a computer since you were 2, a cell phone since you were 10, and pretty much everything you've whined for since FOREVER.....you're right.  There's no reason to work.