Are we a spoiled generation? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

ThomasE · 01-08-2003, 07:53 PM

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?

Brian Damage · 01-08-2003, 08:11 PM

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.

ThomasE · 01-08-2003, 08:24 PM

Quote:

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.

Mijada · 01-08-2003, 08:30 PM

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.

Titania · 01-08-2003, 08:39 PM

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.

Kitt · 01-08-2003, 09:56 PM

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.

AnaheimPMWitch · 01-08-2003, 10:27 PM

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

Lil g 05 · 01-08-2003, 10:32 PM

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

bandito · 01-08-2003, 10:39 PM

i think weve turned into a lazy generation.

Bootsy Whoosh · 01-08-2003, 10:41 PM

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.

ABlairican Pie · 01-08-2003, 10:53 PM

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...

) 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??

You'd think this 9/11, war with Iraq thing would get people writing songs with blistering social commentary.

Max Whittaker · 01-08-2003, 11:04 PM

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!

Bootsy Whoosh · 01-08-2003, 11:14 PM

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....

Max Whittaker · 01-08-2003, 11:21 PM

Quote:

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!

dawsongirl · 01-08-2003, 11:51 PM

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.

01-08-2003, 07:53 PM	#1
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	Are we a spoiled generation? 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?

01-08-2003, 08:11 PM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	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.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

01-08-2003, 08:39 PM	#5
Titania a part of that Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 04, 2000 Posts: 3,694	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.
	__________________ I don't mean to put on any pressure, but I know what a thing is right. and I spend every day reconfiguring my senses. I'll give you stars and the moon and a soul to guide you and a promise I'll never go I'll give you hope to bring out all the life inside you and the strength that will help you grow. myspace

01-08-2003, 10:27 PM	#7
AnaheimPMWitch AKA CaitlinMoore2002 Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Location: in the Las Vegas Crime Lab hangin with Nick and Sara Posts: 4,973	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
	__________________ "We're not dating , We just go to Movies"-Sara Sidle CSI "Now all I can think about is someone took my Doll and Now I want him back so I can Play with him HER Well you know what I mean"-Reggie on Becker "Just in case I'm not enough of a Freak already LETS add a Tiara"-Mia Princess Diaries

01-08-2003, 10:39 PM	#9
bandito Going Topless Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Location: The Steel City Posts: 6,320	i think weve turned into a lazy generation.
	__________________ bandito

01-08-2003, 08:30 PM	#4
Mijada Spencers mom Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 02, 2001 Location: eastern US Posts: 4,093	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.

01-08-2003, 09:56 PM	#6
Kitt James Dean Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 16, 2001 Location: California Dreamin' Posts: 6,115	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.

01-08-2003, 10:32 PM	#8
Lil g 05 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 06, 2001 Posts: 219	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

01-08-2003, 10:41 PM	#10
Bootsy Whoosh Storms abrewin'... Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2001 Location: The Alpha Quadrant, Sector 001 Posts: 2,104	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.
	__________________ Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character for it will become your destiny. - unknown

01-08-2003, 10:53 PM	#11
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	re: spoiled generation 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... ) 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?? You'd think this 9/11, war with Iraq thing would get people writing songs with blistering social commentary.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

01-08-2003, 11:04 PM	#12
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	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!
	__________________ I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, & healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.

01-08-2003, 11:14 PM	#13
Bootsy Whoosh Storms abrewin'... Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2001 Location: The Alpha Quadrant, Sector 001 Posts: 2,104	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....

01-08-2003, 11:51 PM	#15
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	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.