I have often referred to Generation Y as Generation E as a way to point the “Entitlement” finger at them.  No doubt, you have seen this shift in our culture that the idea of “working hard for what you get” is no longer a requirement but a choice.

I am 47 years old and I can say that I have worked hard for most of what I have received in my life.  I grew up in an upper middle class neighborhood and by my count, I always had what I needed along with my fair share of what I wanted.  If I wanted more, I went out and worked for it.

No one forced me to choose to work 30+ hours a week in high school or to work out of town during the summer while in college, when I could have been back home hanging out with my friends.  It was my choice to make and I made it.  I am very thankful that I was well provided for as a kid, but I also know that I never took it for granted.

Although we were, at least in my eyes, pretty well off, most of my friends had a little more and I am sure that at times, I was a little jealous of some of the opportunities that they had that I did not.  That being said, I never remember feeling like anyone “owed” me anything.

Enter Generation “E”.  For sake of discussion, I am referring to those ranging from their late teens to early thirties.  This group includes both of my boys and as much as I have tried to teach them that the world owes you nothing and you need to be prepared to earn your keep, there have still been times when the idea that the world owed them something crept into the equation.

This is not a political statement because I think the entire system is flawed regardless of who is in office, but the fact remains that our culture continues to make it easier to survive, while at the same time doing less.

Before you start beating me up about single moms trying to make it because of deadbeat dads not supporting their children or parents that are both working two jobs to try and make ends meet, let me make it clear that I acknowledge there are countless people out there doing what they can, working hard, but just can’t meet all their needs.

The ones I am talking about are the ones abusing the system.  I have heard it first hand several times … “why should I work, when I can get paid not to”, “why should I pay for it if someone else will for me.”  This is the entitlement that has gotten out of control.

So whose fault is it?  No clear answer here, but I know that my generation has modified and accepted the system that has made entitlement a way of life.

So what do we do?  It will probably never bee completely solved but I plan on being part of the solution and not part of the problem.  I think it starts with leadership.  And leadership at all levels.  Starting in the White House clear down to the kitchen table.

“You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.”  – Abraham Lincoln

This is clearly a topic that can’t be addressed in a 600 word post but I ask you to consider this as we move forward:  The reason the United Stated has become more dependent on the rest of the world is because our people have done the same.  When push comes to shove, do you want to depend on someone else, who is looking first upon their own interests, or on yourself to take care of what matters most to you?

This Country, like many, was created on the idea of Independence and now we seem to be accepting a culture that is In Dependence.  Just a thought!

***********************************************************************

Don’t miss a single post in this series from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.

Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page

Barry Smith www.buildingwhatmatters.com 4/29/13  photo by author