
The Parents Aren’t All Right
The Daily
00:00
The New Reality: Optimize or Fall Behind
Children born in the early 1980s experience a shift in the American dream, where the likelihood of surpassing their parents' financial success is now equal to falling behind. This change has bred anxiety among parents regarding their children's future, leading to an intense focus on education and enrichment. College admissions have become more competitive, fueling the necessity of a college degree for achieving a middle-class lifestyle. Societal pressures compel parents to continuously optimize their children's qualifications and experiences, a stark contrast to previous generations who did not feel such intense stress about their children's future.
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