What happend to the work ethic (of the greatest generation) that made the US the power house that is today?

Answer 1

A couple of things. One, welfare. At first it helped people get on their feet. Then it became a handout. Two, divorce. With visitation and living in two homes, neither parent is there to teach the kids to work. Three, affluence. Our kids have way too much. Most of them think money comes from parents, not from work. Four, morals. Since we can't talk about morals, moral people are on their own. Pride for work well done doesn't mean very much. Americans want it done quickly and cheaply and that's it. Five, entitlement. Especially with kids. Somehow the older generation has handed them the idea that they somehow deserve things without having to do anything for it.

Answer 2

Ah yes, the greatest generation and the work ethic. Daddy had a WPA job to survive the Great Depression, while you got a free education that prepared you for a good job. The war intervened, but after the war, the GI bill sent you to college and a got you a great deal on a house. You had a good job with union wages and benefits in an economy artificially stimulated by government programs. Then your kids went off to college with plenty of government guaranteed loans, not to mention outright grants, and low tuition at public colleges and universities. (And you voted for Ronald Reagan to get government off your back.)

If you want people to do as well, then provide them that sort of opportunity instead of quashing unions, eviscerating education, and so on. Start empowering people to do well via adequate social services, rather than placing obstacles in their paths via inequitable tax codes.

Answer 3

Greed and Imperialism made the US the powerhouse that it is today. The work ethic you speak of was destroyed by corporate theft on a monumental scale by those who were supposed to be the leaders of industry. They instead turned out to be con men stealing pensions, 401k's and the like and still have their untold millions without any realistic repercussions. Why work for a future like that? This great generation you speak of spawned these evil jackasses and it is that generation that to this day defends them.

Answer 4

Unfortunately that generation is retiring and dying as we speak. As for my generation, the baby boomers, we too are starting to reitre. We generally are workers and don't mind working hard to get the job done.

Now the Gen X's and beyond, lordy, lordy, what will happen to this country!!! I'm kinda glad we have the illegals, because who would do all the labor that they do!! Certainly not the 18-30 year olds!! Like I said, I'ts a sad time for our country.

Answer 5

It's not that we've lost our work ethic ! It's that corporations have grown to the point that they don't value the people that work there butts off to make them rich and choose to out source to make more profit ! America is the hardest working country in the world and that has never changed !

Answer 6

As a member of Gen X, I believe that we are the greatest generation.

Answer 7

i'm not sure where it went either. i guess in an age of suing everybody, welfare, bankruptcy, etc. children aren't taught the value of a dollar. i've noticed that it varies a lot by region also. i am one of those people that take pride in doing my job even when it doesn't do a darn bit of a good and hope there is someone else out there that does too.

Answer 8

It was killed by Video Games and Computers, that ruined our young, there was no use to go and play outside, interact with actual people, the computer is a good tool and an Evil tool, that made our young idiots

Answer 9

I've often wondered the same thing. It has partially to do with the fact that people are unwilling to take responsibility for their actions. Just look at all the silly lawsuits.

Answer 10

Our society is gradually sliding down to oblivion... unless something happens to turn it around, we will be overshadowed by China, India, and the Middle East.