http://www.circleofmoms.com/moms-of-teenagers/how-do-i-get-a-20-year-old-to-stop-texting-all-day-get-off-her-butt-and-do-something-487341
Guys, the above link is to a blog I found while doing some searching for info on 20 year-old's. Most of the blog is not scholarly, but I thought it raises an interesting point. The topic is about a mother's struggle with her daughter, who seems to be obsessed with texting and not motivated to go school. In the article we read for class, Epstein mentions the idea that there appears to be a strong connection between parents and their children, and that neither the parent, nor the child wants to let go of this connection. However, I feel that Epstein neglects to realize the importance that the economy has on this connection. Epstein hints at the fact that more schooling is required and much fiercer competition exists today for even the most basic of jobs. If a teenager is unable to find a job, how are they able to support themselves in a society that places so much emphasis on financial prosperity. Without a job, a teenager does not have the wealth necessary to survive. Statements on this blog such as " She's 20 cutr the cord. Who's paying her bill?" and "Where does she get the money for the phone? In my mind, the mother and the people responding to the blog post seemed to be overly concerned with the financial strain of having a daughter obsessed with texting. Moreover, those responding to this question seemed to support the idea that texting obsessively is acceptable if the person doing so pays the texting bill. I ultimately believe that society's main concern with 20 year-old's is financial. Modern society enforces the idea that a person at the age of 20 cannot depend on a parent for money. I simply ask "why is this a problem."
I agree that financial obligations and financial uncertainty weighs heavy on the 20 somethings mind. When I graduate I am looking to be in at least $50,000 worth of financial debt due to student loans. I work and attend school, both full time, and it seems there is never enough money to stretch. I always find myself semi depressed regarding my finances because it always seems as if there is something that comes up that must be paid for leaving me with little left over to spend on what I would like personally for entertainment and I find myself questioning, "What is the point of working?" Yes I am in college in hopes of working in a field in which I would have financial security for business and pleasure; however, it is difficult to see how that will be achieved when I come to reality that I will have loans to pay off, bills to pay (because I cannot live at home forever), a car to drive, and food and clothing to survive. If anything, money stresses me out than provides me with more hope.
ReplyDeleteBrenda,
ReplyDeleteYour mentioning of student loans effectively supports my argument. Today's students are encouraged to seek the highest levels of education, even if doing so stretches far beyond one's twenties. As a result of doing so, a significant amount of debt accumulates, and these students are unable to support themselves financially. Not to mention, today's job market is not too strong, and many of these students are struggling to find jobs, even with high levels of education. That being said, today's twenty-year-olds are often criticized for being too dependent on their parents. Well, in my mind, such dependence is a result of attending college. If today's society has an issue with people in their 20s depending on their parents, then society as a whole should refrain from encouraging students to go college, and encourage them to seek jobs that will provide them with enough capital to independently support themselves.