That question has been playing in my head for weeks now. With me, I am certain to a certain kind of lifestyle. Here at college, I live right across the street from The University of Central Florida where I stay on their off campus housing. I like the fact that I have a car, cable TV in the apartment, my own bathroom, central air and heat, washer and dryer, cell phone and some other things. I look at other shows such as "Little House on The Prairie and "Good Times" and it seems as though families on these shows struggled to get what they needed. For me, I did not always have these things for my own convenience but now that I do, well I guess it's one of those things where you can't imagine what you'd do without them.

Maybe it just has to do with the fact that as we grow the times change and there are more things that we get access to that will help make our lives easier. I mean those things are just there and we are used to having them.

All right. Opinions, Anyone? I would love to get some feed back. What do you think? Are we a spoiled generation?

Absolutely! It seems that 10 year olds are carrying cell phones today. Not to mention DVD players, video game systems, computers etc, etc. Those things didn't exist for me at that age.

Originally posted by Brian Damage
Absolutely! It seems that 10 year olds are carrying cell phones today. Not to mention DVD players, video game systems, computers etc, etc. Those things didn't exist for me at that age.

Good Points! I agree with that.

In some ways we are spoiled and in some ways we are not. We have more material things but we also have a lot more problems in our society than previous generations had. My mother talks about her childhood in the 40's. It was during the war and everything was rationed. They had no tv, 1 telephone and 1 car, but she could walk to school by herself and didn't have to worry that some weirdo was going to grab her. There was no drug problems in the schools and she and her friends could play outside after dark without any worries. Family values were much better then too and there were few divorces unlike today. Many kids today don't even know their fathers let alone have a relationship with them. I asked my mom one time if she ever wanted to be a kid again and she said "Not in this day and age" I've never heard her say anything bad about her childhood even though she didn't have a lot of luxuries like kids do today. The love her parents had for her and being able to walk down the street and feel safe more that made up for it.

we're definitly spoiled. nearly everyone at my school has a cell phone and/or pager, my family has more cars than people, everything is accomplished quickly, machines can do almost any form of work- imo all this modern everything has made people a lot weaker and definitly spoiled.

That's an excellent question Thomas! No black/white simplistic answer for it. Mijada brought up good points. The "Little House on the Prairy" era is hard to imagine. The 50's and 60' are what they were but they've gained prestige due to nostalgia. And you left out one HUGE factor in the equation: Not all people of your generation, by a long shot, have all of those 'easy street' luxuries that you spoke about. And they don't hold out a lot of hope for getting them either. Many of them don't even know about tnem. They live in an entireley different world than the one you're talking about.
When I read the 'What did you get for Christmas' thread, let me tell you, I was, well,....stunned by how much stuff most of you all posted.
I'll give this one some thought, and I'll be interested to see the posts as they accumulate.
:wave:

well I think we are TOTALLY Spoiled I mean just looking at my Niece and Nephews and what they have they range from 1 1/2 to 13 and they've got cellphones,play station, gameboys,thier own computers etc I didnt have ANY OF that when I was a kid I WAS lucky if I GOT MY OWN TOYS alot of my toys were hand me downs (which in turn has been handed down to them YET they still get new toys too)
so I definetly think we are spoiled

but then again they didnt have cell phones or pages to be walking down the street with in the 60s....but even so most people dont work hard, and all our teachers comment on it and like get mad at us about it

i think weve turned into a lazy generation. :(

I suppose it all depends on how you define spoiled. It also depends on who you ask.

I don't believe an entire generation can ever be spoiled, for the reasons that Kittflynn brought up.

I do not believe that taking advantages of the conveniences our time period offers us makes us selfish or spoiled. Should I run out and purchase some oil for my lamps because using the electricity makes me spoiled?

I do not agree at all that we don't have to work for anything these days. Just because we aren't breaking our backs in the fields harvesting potatoes doesn't mean we aren't working. Americans are the most stressed out society on the planet, all because we are always working our damn buns off for the elusive American Dream. Not have to work!

HA! Why the hell am I in college then? I'm sorry, but the not working comment actually offends me! My parents have worked hard at jobs they hate to give my family the lifestyle they enjoy, and while I hopefully someday will be working in a job I do enjoy, it doesn't me I won't be working, or that I didn't work damn hard to get to that position.

Sorry for the mini-rant....

Bottom line: I think "spoiled" is all about attitude. Someone can be worth millions but if their hearts are in the right place and they truely care for others and try to do some good in this world, they are not spoiled in my mind. Spoiled equals selfish, to me. And while there are certainly selfish people in this world, I would never categorize a whole generation as so.

I always think about how different music and pop culture was in the 60's (NOOOOO, I was a little kid in the 60's....not being into hippie-talk...:rolleyes: ) and how everything was so anti-corporate and anti-materialism, etc. We are a total reverse from that today. It's a mall-jammer generation. When's the last time anyone wrote a real protest song??:confused: You'd think this 9/11, war with Iraq thing would get people writing songs with blistering social commentary.


peace:

I think young people today work just as hard, if not harder than young people in days gone by. Not necesarily the physical type of hard work we typically associate with hard work. I'm talking about the homework. I believe students have more homework now that ever before. Or it could just be my limited point of view.

Also, as has already been pointed out, young people today have a lot more to worry about. However that, too, can be highly subjective. In past generations there has been wars, famine, disasters of every kind. Every historical event has had to weigh heavily on the lives of every human being, forcing people to work harder to survive.

So maybe we are spoiled, maybe we are not.

Personaly, I am spoiled!

Max, I doubt you are spoiled, at least not the way I define spoiled.

To refine my defintion: Not only is it about attitude, but I think it about being aware of your place in the world compared to others. If you are consistenly aware that you have more than others and are sincerely thankful for that, then I would say you are "fortunate" but not spoiled. A spoiled person is one who doesn't even bother to notice that some little boys and girls don't have Playstations. This is where good parenting steps in.

Max, you seem to be fairly well aware of the state of the world around you. You may be more fortunate than others, but spoiled? You're too grounded for that....

Originally posted by Bootsy Whoosh
Max, I doubt you are spoiled, at least not the way I define spoiled.

Max, you seem to be fairly well aware of the state of the world around you. You may be more fortunate than others, but spoiled? You're too grounded for that....

Well, thank you, bootsy. That's very kind. And welcome back!

Well, I don't know how well I define my generation, but this is my life:

I'm very spoiled. I've got more electronic gadgets in this room than I should have and mommy and daddy paid for most of them. I have an expensive car. I have too many clothes. I don't have to pay for anything but my credit cards.

When I went to my first college, I hated it because I had to share a room with someone, the room was too small, it had no air, I couldn't have my waterbed, etc. I was used to (and still am) having my own room, air, etc.

So on that, yes.

But my folks never handed me this stuff just because I'm cute. I got good grades, never got in too much trouble, appreciated everything I got, because mom and dad could very easily take it away. And my dad made me stay at school that whole year.

Welcome back, Bootsy!

Yes, I'd say some people in this generation are spoiled. Some of you have mentioned the cell phone and the pager deal about how some people carry one around in high school, or even in middle school. I never thought a cell phone or a pager was that a big of a deal. I never begged my parents to buy me one. I never pitched a fit to get one. I just really didn't care either way. I hate talking on telephones. I just hate it.

However, most people use a cell phone to talk to their boyfriend/girlfriend or other friends. If I ran out and bought me a cell phone tomorrow, I would use it strictly for emergencies. I wouldn't be calling Judy Beth and chatting with her and telling her how I went to this party last night and had one helluva time. That's just a waste to me. I can tell Judy Beth all that crap when I see her again. If I was out in the middle of nowhere and the car broke down, yes a cell phone would be a dandy invention to have.

I don't think I'm a bragger either. If I got a brand new car for my next birthday, I'd be happy. I wouldn't exactly shove it in everybody's face. Oh look, daddy bought me a new car- blah blah blah blah. I know hearing stuff like that is good the first time you hear it. Oh cool, Jenny's dad bought her a new car. Cool. If I kept bragging about it, it will start to make everybody sick. God, I wished Jenny could shove that car up her ass and maybe then she'll shut up about it.

I've known quite a few friends that bragged so many times over certain things. I'm proud that my friend Judy Beth got her a Ferrari and the car does look beautiful, but it kind of grates on somebody's nerves after hearing about the car so many times.

Okay, I got a better example- name brand clothing. I was never into that either. I wore clothes. I didn't have to have Versache across the back of it, or something. Judy Beth could come to school and say she got such and such from (insert fancy name brand) and I'm sure you'll have a few comments on the attire. Some people might get tired of Judy Beth's bragging because they personally don't have the money to run out and buy a whole mall full of clothes. I'm not saying they are jealous of Judy Beth. I'm just saying you kind of feel wistful in a way. I'd like to have such and such from X Store, but I just don't have the money. I feel bad bumming it from my parents. It's just a shirt. It's crazy to pay 75 bucks for a shirt. The person could forget about the shirt because of the price. Then again you have some people that would pitch a fit in order to get a 75 buck shirt that has Versache across the back in gold letters.

Some people might consider people that wear the best clothes or have a lot of money as spoiled people. As someone else mentioned, it's all in the personality. If you have someone asking Judy Beth for 5 dollars and she refuses, even though she's the richest girl in town. Some might consider that spoiled, especially if the friend offers to pay the money back. You could have Richard over here, and him donating a $1,000 to different charities every month. I wouldn't consider Richard spoiled. He has money and he has the name brand stuff, but he isn't hoarding all of his money for himself. He's sharing a good amount with others.

Okay, sorry this post was very long. Sorry about that.

Originally posted by Jenny
I hate talking on telephones. I just hate it.


Me too! I do have a cell, but I only really use it in the car in case something happens, or I'm bored and there's no phone around, I call my mom at work. Other than that... It came in mighty handy when I blew a tire on the interstate.

Originally posted by dawsongirl


Me too!

lol- We have another similarity.

Im spoiled, and when I see someone else with more thans than me.. I get pissed off lol. I mean, I dont live in a mansion or anything, God no, but I was raised an only child so I got a lot of presents. Now Im older, and I have a job and have to buy my own things lol. And, now that I have to buy my OWN things.. I dont buy that much! Im cheap! LOl. The only thing I dont have that EVERYONE seems to have is a cell phone. The only reason why I want(ed) one was for the pretty plates-- thats a waste. And, I get HOW many phone calls a week?!?! Im lucky if I get one. Im not gonna spend who knows how much a month to decorate my bag. I also want a car.:( lol.

As for society, we are spoiled. We are so far ahead in technology, theres not too much more we can do! Weve got DVDs, plasma TV screens that go in your ceiling, gas-free cars, clones, and the list goes on and on. Weve come a long way in the past 50 years. We may be spoiled, but a lot of the things we have are necessary. Who knows how we'd be as America if we were a 3rd world country.

ThomasE, it doesn't seem that you are spoiled, it seems you work for your money, get paid and purchase luxuries for yourself. It's these kids that are GIVEN cars, GIVEN phones, GIVEN this, GIVEN that...now these people are spoiled, never having to work for a single thing they have. They take it all for granted.

YES, I see in this town, brand new cars at 16 YEARS OLD! Cell phones, earrings, cell phones - I saw a 13 year old put it in his pocket! New clothes, must keep up with the styles, EVERYTHING!


:p

Originally posted by Mijada
In some ways we are spoiled and in some ways we are not. We have more material things but we also have a lot more problems in our society than previous generations had. My mother talks about her childhood in the 40's. It was during the war and everything was rationed. They had no tv, 1 telephone and 1 car, but she could walk to school by herself and didn't have to worry that some weirdo was going to grab her. There was no drug problems in the schools and she and her friends could play outside after dark without any worries. Family values were much better then too and there were few divorces unlike today. Many kids today don't even know their fathers let alone have a relationship with them. I asked my mom one time if she ever wanted to be a kid again and she said "Not in this day and age" I've never heard her say anything bad about her childhood even though she didn't have a lot of luxuries like kids do today. The love her parents had for her and being able to walk down the street and feel safe more that made up for it. Although as a child we didn't have many things. As an adult I got angry that I couldn't have certain stuff. My parents said No all the time. Now today I buy whatever it is I wanted. It's disgusting but, I do do it. Kids today have so much. DVD's VCR's Computers, Cell phones, Cars (some of them), Game boys, Playstations, So, So much more....... But, life has gotten harder. People hardly sit down and eat dinner together anymore, familes are split apart, chldren have alot of pain (I see my own children's friends with pain). Prices have sky rocketed. Sometimes I do want the simpler days. Only because there was less worry. I just hope this generation can come out of this with some values but, I don't think so. :(

Originally posted by JOHN LENNON LIVES
ThomasE, it doesn't seem that you are spoiled, it seems you work for your money, get paid and purchase luxuries for yourself. It's these kids that are GIVEN cars, GIVEN phones, GIVEN this, GIVEN that...now these people are spoiled, never having to work for a single thing they have. They take it all for granted. Couldnt have said it better! :)

Originally posted by JOHN LENNON LIVES
ThomasE, it doesn't seem that you are spoiled, it seems you work for your money, get paid and purchase luxuries for yourself. It's these kids that are GIVEN cars, GIVEN phones, GIVEN this, GIVEN that...now these people are spoiled, never having to work for a single thing they have. They take it all for granted.

Well in my case like I stated in the opening posts, no I did not have these things growing up, but now I do feel happy and blessed that I have. I still face challenges but I thank God that I'm have come far. I mean I managed to move out, oay for school myself and save for the future that I desired to have. I guess that I am accustomed to these things now that I have them. Cable is an example. To me that is a necesity. LOL! My attitude is that I get what I want! Not in so much of a spoiled sense, but I will actually take the steps in achieving those things and it feels good getting what my heart has long desired.

I do appreciate your comments though because I have sacrificed a lot for my own family growing up in a single parent home. The kids of today (NOT ALL OF THEM) do take some things for granted. I try to make an effort to appreciate the basic things in life. i.e. the sun the flowers because they can also set the mood and attitude of a person in part. Imagine if those things(and others were taken away. Unfortunately my parents are divorced so I have had to fend for myself and understand the value of a dollar and the little things.

Is it fair to call, or even to consider the possibility of, an entire generation spoiled? Tom Brokaw wrote a book recently called “The Greatest Generation”. It’s about the WWII generation. Granted, I didn’t read the book because I was and am put off by the title, not to mention the so called author who had reams of ghost writers willing to attach their words to his name. Not that I don’t like Tom Brokaw but why is it that people being put in adverse situations, automatically computes to those same people being deemed noble or great? We all work and play with the cards we’re dealt. If those cards are 2’s and 3’s we make the best of it or give up or shoot someone and confiscate their Kings, Queens and Aces. One of the more ridiculous of the Ten Commandments is “I ain’t gonna covet my neighbor’s goods”. What the flying bad-word does that mean? If your neighbors have a better wood stove for heat than you do, and when you visit their house you’re warm instead of freezing, should you ask them where they got their fine stove? Should you go out and get one just like it? Or should you ignore your neighbor’s good fortune so as not to “covet” their goods. If a better wood stove is on the market, and you can afford it, buy it. If cell phones are something you’re attracted to, get one. To do so doesn’t make you any less a part of the human race.
I’m a baseball fan. Major league baseball was, overall, better back in the ‘60’s for reasons that aren’t relevant to this discussion. But I argue with people who make nostalgic claims. Their claims are a microcosm of this discussion. This is an example of what they say that I disagree with. “Baseball players of today are greedy spoiled brats. Back in the old days they played for the love of the game. Nowadays the ‘million-dollar-babies’ wear armor when they go to bat; elbow gear, helmets, shin guards, etc. Back in the old days baseball players were tough and humble.” My response to that is, back in the old days baseball players were broke and bruised. I guarantee that if more money and protective gear were made available to yesteryear’s players, they would’ve taken advantage of it. That theme holds true in the fallacy of “The Greatest Generation”. The people of today’s generation who have a heart, and are trying to make their own way in this world are no less qualified for saint-hood than those who have gone before them who happened to have not had access to the latest inventions of our time and who happened to live through a trying time, historically speaking.

Some people have gotten used to their environments, so they wonder what will happen if they lose something that they are used to having.