Surpassing Our Elders

[Reality.Fantasy]

Today in Sociology, we were talking about all of these terms that I didn't know, and the idea of surpassing your parents (socially/economically) came up. Then we started discussing careers, and pondering on whether or not this generation would be able to 'surpass' the older generation socially. For instance, my dad is an architect, and has his Bachelor's Degree from a minor university in Ohio in architecture. I plan on going to the University of Michigan in order to get a degree in Cinematography, then probably going to further my education at Full Sail in Florida, then going to Hollywood to work in the movie industry. Everyone speculated that I would surpass my father because of the difference in education and career choice, seeing as how the movie industry will probably never die. People will always want to watch movies.

However, in the Sociology book, it says how this generation of kids won't be able to surpass their parents as generations before them have done. While some parents have their Masters in this, that, or the other, their parents (this generation's grandparents) didn't get a college education and mostly worked in factories and all of that stuff.

Basically, my question is: do you think this generation of kids/students will be able to surpass their parents socially? Or will factors such as unemployment and war prevent this generation from becoming as great or even greater than today's adults?

This might belong in the ShinRa forum, but I dunno.



I guess to answer my own question, I think I'd be able to surpass my parents. My mother (who I haven't seen in like a decade) is still a secretary at a dentist's office I think, and my father like I mentioned has a BA in architecture, and his salary isn't that great. Since U of M is a good college and I look to get a lot of education under my belt and then move on to an industry that pays well, I think I'll be able to surpass my parents. However, I think my success will rely on the fact that I persevere in a competitive world, and stay true to my own goals and ambitions.

Yup.

Oh, and this thread isn't saying that it's important or necessary to surpass your parents, just a speculation on what the future holds for young'uns.

 

[Miss Valentine]

I come from a very much working class family, both my mum and dad worked in pretty average jobs. No-one in our family has ever had a degree, so for both me and my brother to get one would be a first, so yeah I think we would be surpassing our parents. I thought I had failed when I had to quit Uni the first time to have my son, but now I have a second chance. If I do well, then I'll most likely end up working somewhere in music, the first time anyone in our family has actually done something they wanted to do, instead of just thinking about how much money they can make. My brother is doing a degree in computers, which again is what he loves doing, and again is probably better than what earlier generations have done.

It's so strange that there are actually intelligent people in our family, either that or it's just easier to get into education these days. Perhaps some of my older family just never got the chance, I don't know. Still as you say, it's not a competition

 

[Soul Saver]

It really depends upon the individual. Certainly, we will surpass our parents technologically, in fact all generations do normally, obviously. However, socio-economically, that is uncertain. Personally, I don't think that so many people will surpass their elders. I don't think that alot of our generation have what it takes. The softly-softly upbringings, and youth culture in general, seem to threaten the future of this generation. Maybe I'm just being cynical, but fewer kids seem to have what it takes, that ambition, drive, initiative, and independence of thought that is needed to push generations forward. Yes, those who do know what they're doing will prosper. The others, well, seem like they're going on a downwards spiral. Binge drinking is a massive threat to the future of alot of kids, as well. Adding to that will be World War III, which will probably hit in the heyday of generation Y. A major war is due any time now.

*sigh*

One thing though. This generation is at the forefront of rapid, unparalleled technological change. With new technology, comes new challenges. Youngsters now have to adapt to computers. Digital gadgets are now everyday accessories, even an essential part of life nowadays. So, generation Y's acceptance of new technology is one of its big merits, and what this generation in general will be remembered for. The iGeneration.

 

[Reality.Fantasy]

Good point with the technology bit, MZ. And socioeconomic was definitely the word I was searching for... dang.

Yeah, and the whole drugs and alcohol and violence and all of that other stuff hinders our generation as well. Not like that wasn't a problem in my parent's generation either, but nowadays it seems more rampant and troublesome, even though we all know about the risks and stuff. I don't know if it's the apathy in teenagers that cause them to drink and drive and cut their wrists and play hot potato with STDs, but I too recognize that it's a big problem that will hinder our chances of success. Still, there are those who know better than that, and I think those who actually pursue a higher education and stay away from all of that nonsense could surpass their parents, regardless of their parents' occupations.

 

[Jack's Smirking Revenge]

It looks like this generation will follow the trend of surpassing their parents. More and more people are going off to university or college, and are getting degrees and doing well for themselves. I suppose I've been quite lucky with my heritage; my dad is a "quantity surveyor" and earns quite a lot, while my mother is an adult learner teacher. So in that respect, I've got a long way to do better. I think my sister was the first in our family to go to university and get a degree, though. But I suppose that's because the education just wasn't as easily accessible thirty of forty years ago.
I think it depends heavily on the individual's background and up bringing though. I've come from a pretty good background, and have been brought up quite well, I suppose. My parent's have supported me a lot, and so further education has always been open for me. If someone is coming from a poorer background, they're going to find it a lot harder to get off the ground and do particularly well for themselves.

There will always be the small minority, however who just do nothing and end up working at a car wash or something.

 

[Fusilli]

My father is always setting me goals, and says that he wants me to be more successful than what he was. When he was younger, his parents told him to be a doctor or a lawyer... and he never became either. I think in some ways he's disappointed with what he's done, although I don't see why he should be. I mean, he's the manager of a big printing business, and is in charge of business for the whole of Scotland, he earns enough so that my mum doesn't have to work, and we can still have nice things. That's pretty good if you ask me. My dad is always pushing me to be 'the best' though, which is great but sometimes the pressure gets a bit much. I don't know if I'll manage to do better than that, although saying that neither of my parents went to uni, whereas I am certain that that's where I want to go. My sister is doing really well, she's studying history at St Andrew's Uni, although she wants to go on to do teaching. I have no idea what I want to do, I know that I want to study geography but I don't know what I'm going to do with it.

Anyway, I don't know if I'll surpass my dad, he's doing pretty well. I don't really mind one way or another, I just want to do something I enjoy and make enough money to get by. I don't really care if I'm as successful or not.

 

[Mitsuki]

This seems more fitting in Shinra Building, so I'll move it there. I'll post my thoughts later.

-Thread Moved-

 

[Gabranth]

I doubt it, bpeople theres day take everything for grnated ya, them days it was harder to live and people were tougher. i will never surass my dad cause he has a degree inscience.

 

[Mitsuki]

It's really hard to say. Like Colonel Vorgin stated, it is up to that individual. However, I must point out that this generation are suffering from serious debt due to high interest rates, home prices, and high tuitions. Then of course, there's many young people applying for numerous credits cards and not being careful with it which ultimately leads many college students in trouble financially. And then there's student loans. Yes, while I agree that they are beneficial overall, in the long-run it seems almost impossible to climb out of all those debt because not all students succeed in their careers...and so where does that put them in the future? They still have to pay those loans.

I know there are those fortunate ones who can go off to college and do well on their own (either with their parents' help or not), but there are also too many college students out there struggling financially just to finish their studies. Most don't even have the money or time to go to college as they are too busy trying to bring home paychecks and living off from them, barely making ends meet.

So I suppose I'm gonna have to say that I doubt this generation will surpass the previous generation. (Notice that I did not say "parents" because I can't speak for everyone). But then again, it can very well go both ways. Yes, some individuals can surpass their parents easily, but others won't. In general though, I still think it won't happen. People being irresponsible with their money and ending up in debt is probably the main drawback here. I know many people in this current generation who do not budget their money wisely, and I know for a fact that it is a serious issue worldwide. We have so many new innovative technologies that attracts many young people out there - so what do they do? Bust out their credit cards.

Personally though, I already surpassed my mom - by default. She currently lives in a 3rd world country and has no job as it is very scarce there. My dad didn't finish high school, but he does make quite a lot of money by being a truck driver. I still haven't gotten back to college for over three years now, but when I do and get my career kickin' off, it is without a doubt that I will surpass both my parents...but that's only because their lifestyle back then were very different as they both lived in a 3rd world country. So it all depends on the situation.

 

[Rockman X]

It looks like this generation will follow the trend of surpassing their parents. More and more people are going off to university or college, and are getting degrees and doing well for themselves.

Ah, but see, this complicates things. Yes, more people are getting a higher education but this adds a whole new factor which is rapidly growing: competition.

Fifty years ago you'd be set for life just having a bachelors degree, nowadays that's pretty much the bare minimum you need to get anywhere. Competition is stiffer than ever, often people are having to settle for jobs with poor salaries or jobs outside their expertise simply because they can't get into the field they want.

This generation is undeniably surpassing its elders in technology and education...but career-wise, that remains to be seen. And our faltering economy is another factor that will have to be taken into account.