this post was submitted on 21 May 2024
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[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 54 points 7 months ago (1 children)

So much of it is just Boomers passing the buck with a "personal responsibility" trope that doesn't pan out for anyone with even a modicum of misfortune. What are your real options?

Age 10: Be in the top of your class. All of you. Everyone needs to be in the top 10% or you're not allowed to go to a good high school / college

Age 15: Have a job, but also dedicate all your time to studying, so you can save up to go to a good college. Also, don't let your grades slip, even a little, because you all need to be in the top 10%.

Age 20: Don't take on any college debt. But go to a good school. But also hold down a part time job. But studying is a full time job, so make sure you're getting As in all your classes. But take challenging classes, because no employer wants to see a bunch of fluff on your resume. But also join lots of clubs so you don't look boring. And make sure you find a partner, so you can start spitting out babies before you turn 30!

Age 25: Get an upwardly mobile job! Maybe even two jobs! And don't you fucking dare live with your parents, you loser. Have a career and a partner and don't forget your network is your networth, so make sure you do lots of socializing. But don't get into debt! Just own a car and live in a nice apartment and go on lots of dates and earn lots of money and DON'T SPEND ANY OF IT WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!

Age 30: Did you invest your savings? Pull out! Pull out! The current investments are all scams! You should do this other thing that's much more lucrative instead. Real estate is a scam, do stocks! Stocks are a scam, do crypto! Crypto's a scam, start your own business! Businesses regularly fail, what were you thinking?! You're a homeowner now, right? Because real estate is about to go up astronomically.

Age 35: Oh boy, hope you didn't experience any amount of burnout, because this is the most critical point in your life for career growth. You're already married and own a home and have at least six figures in the bank and own a car and have at least two kids by now, right? Because that's what your employers are going to want to see before they give you a promotion.

Age 40: How's it going, buddy? Ready for retirement yet?

[–] Emerald@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Why would employers want you to have kids to have a promotion?

[–] explodicle@sh.itjust.works 23 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Because then you need the paycheck more, and are less likely to move.

[–] AnxiousOtter@lemmy.world 10 points 7 months ago

Also you won't go on parental leave if you're done having kids.

[–] VARXBLE@lemmy.dbzer0.com 16 points 7 months ago

People with dependents are more likely to put up with employers bullshit demands when its not just their own livelyhood on the line.