The twenty somethings - a tribute

This is a fan letter to the hard working, struggling twenty to early thirties young people.  Should you be a member of the aforesaid demographic, don’t read this if more than two of the below statements apply to you:

• You attended a prestigious academic institution, graduated in four years, with tuition paid for by your parents.
• You did not work during college or volunteer for a non-profit.
• Your credit card was paid in full during college by your parents.
• You lived in housing that was purchased or paid for by your parents.
• Should your credit card debt become too high your parents will pay it off.
• Your parents are currently subsidizing your housing.
• You found a decent job within six months of graduating that pays a living salary with benefits.

Answering yes to some of the above statements makes you lucky, fortunate, and blessed and these days, unusual especially the last statement.

So many of this particular demographic are working more than one job, attempting to go to school, taking out large school loans to survive and not giving up.

In California the state educational system has dramatically cut back classes.  Finding the last one or two classes that are necessary to enroll in a state university is on par with winning the lottery. The classes are either offered only once a year and are usually filled within minutes.  The state schools have stopped mid-year enrollment as well.  As a result of the many obstacles brought on by budget cuts, it is taking one to two years longer to graduate, which means higher loan payments.

Many parents lost jobs, houses and or savings.  Consequently college bound young adults or those unable to attend college are supporting themselves or contributing to their families support. Some of the family is forced to move in with grandparents and the young adult must find his or her own way.

Let us not leave out the ugly divorces that find many of these young adults caught in the middle by feuding parents. Financial contribution by the parent with the most dollars is coercive and controlling and or becomes a way of getting back at the other parent. Each time one of these stories is shared, I realize that the parent is the child and the behavior exhibited by their children is mature, yet they are the one’s punished. (I only wish this was a rare tale but it is not.)

Jobs to finance living and school are mostly in the service industry.  Too many of these employers will not post schedules until the weekend. The employees have to call in during the week to see if they are needed.  There is little or no accommodation for school schedules. (There are some from the industry that will work around school schedules, just not enough.)

  

Like their great grandparents’ who survived the great depression this demographic has my respect and vote.  I am awe of this group as they push on to complete their degrees, start their lives and believe in their future. My hope is that the election outcome will help you all move forward quickly. My hope is that all obstacles that have been put before you will create in you compassion as you become successful.  Your memory will motivate you to create safety nets for others.