I think you're right, Brett, in outlining the problems that face the American youth generation, but I think it goes deeper than just a fascination with the "fame culture" and a lack of science degrees.

Young Americans today have an attitude of entitlement. It's their "right" to have an education, Social Security, a job, a nice house, a fun car, and plenty of money. We've taken the American dream a step farther. Not only can everyone have an opportunity to achieve their dreams, everyone has a right to have their dreams (the results of the opportunity) - without doing the work. We've built a culture of entitlement - and that's where our fascination with Britney Spears and our lack of science degrees come in.

American Youth feel they're entitled not just to the things their parents and grandparents work for, but to anything they want. 'Fame - well, that lady from Texas got on Survivor - I should be able to do that and be famous.'

That attitude also affects our students. Science and math degrees require far more work than an English Lit degree - it's harder for most people to get the science degree. So they get English Lit instead.

Our fascination with fame is a strong symptom, but our real problem is our culture of entitlement.
Nqoire | Homepage | 08.09.05 - 8:42 pm | #

Thanks for you insightful comment, Nqoire. I would completely agree. I like to call American youth's entitlement complex the American Idol Syndrome.

If you've ever seen the faces of the American Idol contestants when Simon Cowell tells them they have no talent you understand what I mean. American young people cannot accept the fact that they don't deserve high paying jobs, they aren't "beautiful," or their voices sound funny.

Perhaps we'll wake up and start pushing ourselves once our lawn mower business is outsourced to China (however that might work).
Brett Harris | Homepage | 08.09.05 - 8:43 pm | #

Americans can live a good life without working very hard. Why strive for a successful career when we can satisfy our needs in a less stressful fashion? Why major in a difficult subject when an easy one will do just as well?

Our entitlement mentality, as Nqiore points out, does play a part in this laxity, but our successful and affluent culture that supports underachievers and doesn't point fingers allows the freeloaders of society to operate with impunity.

You mentioned the growth in technology sectors compared to labor and services and the disproportionate need in tech industries. This imbalance will eventually achieve equilibrium independent of the American workforce. If we don't provide the labor to balance the scales, someone else will.

I don't know how much further you plan to develop this issue here, but I am curious how you see Britney Spears (representing the US entertainment industry) affecting the young workforce. Do you think the pop star mentality will discourage potential employees from pursuing technology careers despite contradictory economic pressures? If so we have a really big problem on our hands.
Cody Herche | Homepage | 08.09.05 - 8:43 pm | #