The normal markers of adulthood - a stable job, a home, a family - are much more difficult to obtain in today's economy. It's a combination of bad economic health, the rise in tuition rates (which makes getting those nice-paying jobs difficult) and society's more liberal attitudes towards the role of marriage and family in our lives, as evidenced by the drop in marriage rates as well as the rise in divorce rates. 

@QuantumStorm - oh, that brings up the point, that only recently did everyone think they had to go to college to get a good job, saddling them with debt.

@QuantumStorm - it is a truly maddening lie, that MUST be stopped.

@EmilyandAtticus -  it is worrisome.

@Kris0logy - Well part of the problem is that vocational schools have had a hard time trying to keep up with the changing workplace. Usually, vocations reflected the nature of the industry at the time. But nowadays, with the increase in automation and outsourcing, traditional votech's that do things like welding, woodshop, etc., have a smaller and smaller niche. It takes time for votech's to develop curricula that is consistent and reliable enough to keep up with industry, and by then the industry has already changed substantially. Industry is basically changing more quickly than votech's are able to keep up with it, which suggests that it may be time for votechs to adapt different training strategies and models.

There is a lack of balance in this world and the way this society works. As a people, we aren't the greatest at giving our children the tools they need but also the ability to enjoy their youth.  There needs to be that balance. 

Amen to this, really. I grew up way too fast in certain aspects but by the time that I became and adult I realized how absolutely emotionally and financially dependent I was on my mom, it was very difficult to break the habit. So after moving a good distance away from her, I've had to kind of come to terms with not being able to run to my mom's house every time there is a problem in my life.
I agree that people being able to be on their parents' insurance is a bad idea. It's just building the dependence of the people on one, their parents; two, the people around them; and three, on the government. On their parents, of course, for obvious reasons; on the people around them because once they have become accustomed to having an extra helping hand in their lives, and their parents are no longer an option, they'll either adapt and become INdependent, or they'll find someone else or multiple people to lean on; I say the government because once all other options are exhausted and they "feel" as if they have no where to turn, they believe that there the government will be to give them a leg-up or make some new law requiring others to care for them. =/ See, I just think that the difference between

and

has become completely skewed. "But I NEED that iphone", "but I NEED that Cadillac with the 20" rims". So on and so forth. The right to life is one that is given little thought to yet we place so much value on the other three basic human rights; food, clothing, and shelter. It's not enough just to have somewhere to live, food to sustain us, and clothing to keep us warm/ safe from the elements. Now it is a matter of having the best of the best of each of these and for no other reason than because we feel, for some reason, entitled to these things.

Sorry for such a long response.

Kids mature a lot quicker today than they did when I was gorwing up, although we did not have the drugs and booze as easily available.

@LKJSlain - Yeppers. A big part of the problem is kids not being trusted, not being able to face problems and solve them.

@EmilyandAtticus - I know! I hate it when people mooch off of their parents. Misusing a parent's love and trust is one of the worst things a person can do. At the same time, I recently lived in Eastern Europe for awhile, and now that I come back the American frenzy to move out of the house at 18 and never come back seems strange, and a little sad. Over there, families usually live together long after their kids have "grown up," and a lot of times it is a helpful and supporting thing (grandparents always around to watch the grandkids, no heavy lifting for the old folks, exc.). It makes me wonder why it is so important to so many here to run away from their families.

@Kris0logy - So many of my friends are in debt because of the college myth. I fear that when the hammer falls and the rosy dream of iphones, cheap beer, and parties are over, mine will be a very disillusioned generation. At the same time, I don't think it's bad for people to feel entitled. Most progress that has ever happened in history has happened because someone thought **I'm entitled to have basic sanition, to have a living wage, exc.** Everyone willing to work deserves a job--this I believe absolutely? Everyone is *entitled* to an xbox 360? Maybe not so much.

i'd like to challenge your ideas... as a 26-year-old who still gets help from her parents, it's the only way i manage to stay afloat.  in this economy, the best job i can find is $9/hour, and that's barely enough to survive on (even when i'm splitting bills with my SO who makes more than i do).  i know it's fun to sit here and bash people like me, but it's counterproductive.  how about you come up with some solutions, instead of calling me lazy?  

@autumn_cannibal76 - That's actually a good point. It goes to far like in Italy I know a common complaint about Italian men is that they never leave their mothers. Still there is something to be said for having support in the world. 

@PPhilip - i think the issue of making kids work depends on the circumstances.  in my family, excellence at school is the top priority.  if you can't work and get straight As, you shouldn't be working.  i got paid for my grades and amount of time spent studying, just as if it was a job.  

awespme post.