We are spoiled, over privaled and over-parented. HAH.

To be honest, I thought this article was pretty ridiculous. So many of the points brought up by the various authors seemed extreme and skewed. Some of the points had truths and are true in some situations, but middle class American high school students and their parents aren't spending $5,000 for an SAT tutor. This is just one of many examples, since there were so many I cringed at when I read. The whole thing about our generation being spoiled is a good point but the reasons for it are one-sided. Yeah, our parents care about us, make sure we're on task, help us out when we're in need. There is much more parental influence today then earlier days; kids can talk to parents about touchy issues these days. It is true that instead of going out into the work place and starting a career high school and college graduates are uncertain about their futures and sometimes linger at home for several months, sometimes years. The article didn't really take in to account that society develops over time. To compare America in the 1940's and in 2008 is amazing change wise. The article didn't really take into account that there was a war in the 1940's and a majority of men weren't in universities studying, but being shipped across the seas. These are just some examples of my discrepancies with the article. Another one that bothered me was the argument that parents spoil or over-parent their kids by 'being there' for them and encouraging extracurricular activities. Society is changing; a little kid can't walk the streets of a town or city neighborhood and be completely safe; people are sick and parents must protect their young. Also, the competition to get into college has increased because the babyboomers' kids are now trying to get into colleges in record amounts. Personally my mother stayed at home and raised my sister and I while my dad worked. As we grew older my mother went back into the work place on and off. Being a 'over-parented' kid I turned out 'against-the-odds.' I live off campus and am responsible for rent, bills, dishes, laundry, cleaning, my studies and having fun. Amazing that I can function without having a mental breakdown because my mommy isn't there.