How long should we treat grown children as dependent children?
I don’t want to sound like an old codger, but I am one of the New Seniors. This means I’m over 65, yet not so far past that age to sit by and watch the country change before my eyes without so much as making a comment or expressing dismay regarding the direction America is going.
- Image by William Hook via Flickr
If you’re satisfied with what’s happening in Washington and believe the trailing generations – your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren – will be afforded as much or more opportunities than you had, this article is not for you. However, if you share my concerns about Americans needing to re-familiarize ourselves with the philosophies, values and traditions that made us the great democracy we are, and feel the republic is slipping away from the people, then I’m reaching out to you.
It was amazing to hear how many parents of adult children were pleased about the portion of the recently signed health care that permits offspring 26 or younger to be covered under mom and dad’s insurance policy. On the surface, this seems like a good way to provide the kids with health insurance. But what does it do as far as motivating them to get out of school, get a job and start taking care of themselves? If they’re not capable of this, will there be an addendum to the health care bill sometime in the future that allows kids to be on the parent’s policy until 30, 35 or older? Or maybe until they get married or move out of the basement, whichever comes first?
Besides making the kids more dependent on their parents, this legislation sets in motion an unhealthy notion that someone will always take care of them. If not mom and dad then the government. This is further supported by the student loan program being included in the final legislation. What do loans have to do with health care, anyway? Nothing. However, the government, based on past performance, won’t be as aggressive in enforcing repayment. That makes them more like grants than loans.
So, if the kids are not going to be responsible for the costs of their higher education or their health insurance premiums, what will make them want to be independent and functioning contributors to society? Maybe preparation for employment in the health care industry or a job in the public sector (federal, state or local) would be best. The unions in these fields are strong, it’s difficult to get fired and the benefits are good – now and in retirement. Think this is cynical? More people are employed by the public sector than ever before and the pay differential often favors public jobs as opposed to working in private business. That’s quite a swing from when we were seeking employment.
With a growing government workforce and more and more people being covered by some kind of entitlement program (of the 32 million new people eligible for health care insurance, half will be on the rolls of Medicaid), the average person can easily become dependent on the government rather than themselves. Is that the America we knew? Is this the kind of country you want for your loved ones. If not, New Seniors must let their voices be heard. And we must do it now.
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I accidently found your site, and I like it.
I agree extending adolescence to the mid twenties is unhealthy.
I was a man in the Air Force at age 24, and I “knew” I would not see 25. I had to make decisions for myself and others, and I learned just how brutal life can be.
. When I returned to the United States, I felt like a fifty -year old man, and I couldn’t sleep without a knife under my pillow. That’s quite a contrast to some, but not all modern young people in our world today.
I earned a MA and hours toward a PhD before I learned that as a veteran, my kind was not wanted in polite society. I dropped out and promised myself that in sofar as it was possible, I would never again let others determine my destiny. My wife and I raised two children on our farm, and we taught them to be tough.
Both clawed their way through good educations with little money, and they landed good jobs. Many of their friends did the same. Maybe it has something to do with the rural culture of Iowa and Nebraska, but I know many young people with guts and little sense of entitlement.
Lately, I have been experiencing deja vu, as the Tea Party movement gains strength. We have attended several demonstrations, and they remind me more of glorified high school pep rallies than the Vietnam era anti war protests I saw.
I also “hear” a voice from a member of the silent generation, Bob Dylan.
“Come Senators Congressmen please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway, don’t block up the hall
For he that gets hurt will be who has stalled
The battle outside is raging.
It’ll l soon shake your windows and rattle your walls,
For the times, they are a changing.”