[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Whitley

It is easy to blame the younger generations for being lazy, unwilling to work as we did, etc.. I do it at times myself. I do understand that there are reasons that contribute to the situation we are in. Many (all) of the reasons we worked so hard have been taken away from current generations. In 1970 the median home was 2.6 x the median income. It would take all income for 2.6 years to purchase the median priced home. Today it is close to 7 years. The home price to income ratio is far from healthy. Home prices have increased 4x the income increase. In 1970 it would take 3 months pay (median) to purchase a car (median price). Today it is close to one years income. Even renting an apartment has increased at 2x the rate of HOUSEHOLD income. I stress household because most households today have two incomes.
I doubt I am alone when I would complain about working 12 hour days, leaving when it was dark, coming home when it was dark, only to eat sleep and start again. I complained but I had a beautiful home, sent my children to private schools and drove nice cars. The current generation has been dealt a bum hand.

But we all have a lot more stuff than what we had growing up so not so sure that overall the current generation has been dealt a lousy hand.