Has anyone got an answer as to why kids of today are so idle and selfish? Is it their parents fault for waiting on them hand and foot? Is it because this is a must have society, where kids demand, and get, everthing they want? Are we breeding a generation who won't be able to fend for themselves because they don't know how? Just out of interest, how much did you spend on your kids this Christmas?
2006-12-31 20:52:22 · 17 answers · asked by Kali 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
you've raised some good points and I think some of it stems from having too much, without effort, nd too much choice. Two generations ago, there was little money and so the whole family worked as one unit to put food on the table and contribute to the household jobs. Xmas presents would be one or two items, and greatly valued, since there was little else around. There is more wealth, hence more money around to spend on things, and there are more things on which to spend, so kids naturally have more. And because they haven't had to contribute to it, they accept it as normal to 'have', so there is no value in the item. Thsu they grow up to just expect to have things without the effort expended to get them ... follow my drift?
Yes, there is a lazier generation out there now and I think they will get real shocks when they go into the workplace and actually have to work tok pay for things!
You've raised some good points ... we should get more questions like this on Yahoo.
2006-12-31 21:14:13 · answer #1 · answered by gorgeousfluffpot 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have two grown up daughters and i spent a fair bit on them at Christmas because i can afford to.
If kids are selfish and idle, then of course it is the parents fault in the main. Parents should bring up their kids to be helpful, kind citizens. If they don't then they reap what they sow.
My 18 year old still lives at home. Her room is always a tip, but i leave it. I know it is partly my fault because if, for example, i had always made her tidy it from the time she was very little before we went out, or before i let her go out, then she would do it automatically.
Parents today seem more stressed with often both partners working, or maybe it is a single parent family.
I dont think we are breeding a generation who can't fend for themselves. Left to their own devices, kids would soon fend for themselves! Might not be how we would like it done, but they work it out!
2007-01-01 05:04:25 · answer #2 · answered by Caroline 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They have been given far too much. I see the difference in those only a few years younger than myself.
As far as spending on kids, I have none yet. I did, however, spent less than a fiver on a relative's 3 year old, and a bit more on my best mate's two year old, because I knew their entire family was skint this year.
Said someone, it would help if we made Chavs go to work, but alas, we would have to give them a bath first, and no one of any age and sense of odour wants to get that close.
An elderly friend who died April 06 thought that a good dose of work round the house, and as soon old enough, at a job, backed up by the strap or cane would be a solution.
I simply say life is too easy for them. I want little to do with my younger relatives.
--That Cheeky Lad
2007-01-01 05:05:24 · answer #3 · answered by Charles-CeeJay_UK_ USA/CheekyLad 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I dont think that ALL kids are like that...unfortunately mine are.
I think the reason is that most parents feel guilty about having to work and not be around as much like our parents were for us.
The kids of today really dont get everything that they want but they probably get alot more than they deserve.
I spent $800.00 or so on my 13 year old. I got him that playstation 3 with the accessories.
I doubt that I will do that again in terms of the amount of money. Last year I spent about 300 (psp and some games) and that is probably about what I feel comfortable spending on him for xmas.
When he was younger the cost was about $150.00
2007-01-01 05:19:36 · answer #4 · answered by karen g 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that all the things you mentioned have a part on our children growing up to become lazy and selfish.
So many of us have started out as single parents or divorced, so we try to overcompesate our time for things (not all, but I did). Then as the kids get older, they start to expect more and more without having to do any work to get it.
Schools, at least the ones mine have gone through, don't expect nearly as much in terms of actual WORK to pass a grade. Bare minimum effort will get a child passed.
Movies, music and even video games (again not all, but ones with a higher parental rating) show that if you don't have it, its okay to just take it.
But in the end, it is us, as parents to show our kids that hard work may not get you as much as "easy money". But we need to teach them that the easier the money/things, the harder the time served!
2007-01-01 10:20:58 · answer #5 · answered by Tami 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i assume the reason why kids of today are so immature, selfish and idle is because society allows them to get away with things that they shouldn't be allowed to get away with. in other words, i am talking about the system, the parents, the government to name- who whom are accountable for allowing the kids to get out of control and behave in an uncivilised manner. the fact is that in this country, us adults have to pander to them and bend over backwards in order to accommodate their needs, whilst they get a free ride and do what the hell they want, when they want. its hypocrisy and smacks of arrogance. its people like loony ken Livingstone who decided that kids under 16 could travel for free on buses and not having to pay for e.g- and still some of those teenagers, because of the leniency of this rule use it as an opportunity to behave like morons, shouting,being noisy and showing disregard to their fellow passengers, whilst on the bus. i am 25 years old currently, but when i was a teenager, i was always well behaved and i have experienced first hand, kids getting out of control, in and out of school. but these days the teenagers that we have today don't understand, never mind know the meaning of the word respect. thus, some of them probably don't even know what it actually entails or stands for, which is sad. and another issue is the culture of materialism that we are living in the 21st century- as i said previously on answers, happiness stems from within yourselves and the people around you. it is not encompassed within or found in wealth or any type of property or item that has material properties and value attached to them. the truth is sadly, kids imply that money- and to a certain extent fame, does buy them instant happiness when that is so untrue and not a true reflection of western society and the very core values which it seeks to project and maintain. btw, i didn't spend anything on the kids at xmas, as a) i don't have any and as i am one of four and living at home with my parents and sister and brothers and b) i am currently at university
2007-01-01 05:29:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Different day and time. It what we teach and what they learn from others in school. It's hard to say no when other parents are saying yes; particularly when they're young. You do your best.
I didn't spend anything on Christmas this year. But others spent tons on my kids.
2007-01-01 05:25:01 · answer #7 · answered by cleo_michelle73 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the kids i know deserved what they got. kids aren't selfish its just that everything costs a certain amount and if they deserved it then we might as well give it to them. its not like they just ask out of nowhere. they must do something to get it. well i gave an iPod, a new cellphone and a couple of other things. i dont know how the exact value i spent. but i know they deserved them.
2007-01-01 05:02:39 · answer #8 · answered by disturbed. 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I spent 100 pounds on my daughter.
I think it is a byproduct of all the technology that is available, tv, internet etc, and the wealth of this country, kids can get what they want with no effort involved and they take everything for granted.
2007-01-01 04:56:33 · answer #9 · answered by cigaro19 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
i made the big mistake of giving in too much to my son when i got divorced. he came to live with me and i always let him have what he wanted to make up for the time he was with his mother. when he got older and i tried to make him stand up for himself he has completely written me off and moved away. a hard lesson to learn but there we go. at the end of the day we all have to make choices and he has made his
HAPPY NEW YEAR
2007-01-01 05:08:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋