Working Smarter and Harder

 

Student Research Paper by Connor Piercey

America is another name for opportunity ---Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Every promise, every opportunity, is still golden in this land. And through that golden door our children can walk into tomorrow with the knowledge that no one can be denied the promise that is America” (Ronald Raegan). Many American young adults have an advantage in life just by being born in America -  the land of prosperity. These youth start adulthood with financial help from parents and endless opportunities for a fulfilling career. However, a recent survey conducted by Pew Research Center revealed that only sixteen percent of Americans between the ages of 18-24 were financially independent, with only forty percent of adults in this age bracket being employed full time. What are the factors playing into these statistics? Is this slow start toward independence due to the fact that more highschool graduates are choosing to go to college, or is it because no one is pushing them to be financially independent until an older age? Perhaps this next generation of Americans simply lacks the gumption and dedication of their forefathers, who worked tirelessly to make this nation what it is today? Has the inherited strength and prosperity of this nation weakened the current generation of young adults, causing them to be inferior to those who came before them and built a strong nation? It is easy to blame today’s youth for a host of problems this country experiences, but this is underestimating them. While it is true that today’s teenager has a different lifestyle and career potential than his great grandfather had, perhaps he still has what it takes to uphold the nation’s prosperity and greatness. In evaluating the potential of today’s youth, it would be helpful to step back in time and walk in the shoes of their great grandparents. Only after studying the education, the lifestyle, and the career potential of previous generations, can it be determined whether or not today’s youth have what it takes to uphold the nation’s reputation and legacy. It’s June 25, 2025. Another day begins with Ryder checking social media. 

        Working as a 20 year old in 2025 can be a challenging and stressful experience, especially as a social media influencer. After checking how the latest post has done, it is time to quickly document breakfast and coffee, before rushing off to work. Ryder often takes advantage of his summer break by sleeping late, but today there is a business meeting with his influencer merch company, so he can not be late. As a young influencer, posting nearly every detail of life and comparing himself to others is a painful, yet necessary responsibility. (The emotionally damaging expectations of his viewers likely contributes to statistics, such as the one posted by the National Institute of Mental Health. This study revealed that thirty-six percent of adults between the ages of 18-25 have some sort of mental illness.) Now not everybody in this generation is cut out to be an influencer. The United States boasts a plethora of career choices and opportunities, but this generation “works smarter, not harder” and has gotten hooked on the “get rich quick” model, and “retire young” movement. For instance, Ryder’s parents paid his eighty-thousand dollar college tuition in hopes that their son would walk in the footsteps of his father as a software engineer. Ryder had different plans because the standard of working 40 hours a week for 40 years was not his idea of a fulfilling life. While trying to escape from his responsibilities, he felt the impetus to become a social media influencer. He just needs to finish out online college; then he can further pursue his lucrative career as a social media influencer. No one to care for but himself. He believes those who chose to start families at a young age should be ridiculed for losing the best years of their lives and willingly working more just to provide for such a boring lifestyle. After completing his work for the day, it is time for Ryder to hit the gym before meeting his friends at a local restaurant. (Although he still lives with his parents, he takes pride in his financial freedom. He is convinced that he is going to be a self made millionaire). Naturally his personal success and the steak he ordered for lunch has to be plastered all over social media.

It was June 25, 1937. Another day had begun for Walter, and it was time to get to work. Living as a 20 year old during the Great Depression was a very challenging experience. On the other hand, living in a time where societal and technological advancements were so limitless promised amazing possibilities. Although it is the sweltering days of the summer months, our young man, Walter, must work long hours at the local automotive factory, while helping provide for his family. Although he is working tirelessly in the same tattered boots he has worn for months, Walter is certainly not the worst off. In fact,  his parents had enough money put aside before the Depression so they could scrape together his college tuition for him to go to dentistry school, which was a profession that still maintained its security in a tough economy. As Walter boarded the bus to head to the factory, he was hit with the potent smell of smoke and the heartbreaking sight of struggling fathers looking for jobs to support their families. 

        Depression in the big city was hard. (The Federal Research of History, released a statistic stating that during the recession in 1937, leading into 1938, the unemployment rate in America shot up to twenty percent.) As they had gotten out of the city, Walter saw a terrible sight in the distance, the Hoovervilles. These tragic homeless camps were built up all over the country displaying the pain and suffering the Depression had brought to the American people. After finishing up a 12-hour day at the factory, Walter boarded the bus to head home. He was going to see one of the biggest movies of the year, A Star is Born, at a local theater with his friends, and he had better hurry.Working grueling days at the factory, for a meager fifty cent per hour wage, had Walter feeling discouraged on his outlook for the future. However,  he reminded himself how lucky he was to have a job. While witnessing the willpower and strength the struggling American people displayed, Walter was assured that his proud nation had a bright future ahead. 

Emie Fletcher asserts, “‘Education is the greatest opportunity to give an irrevocable gift to the next generation.’” In a country as full of innovation and creativity as the U.S., the opportunities for a strong education must be endless, right? Boasting well over 5,000 colleges and a host of educational opportunities for even the poorest students, young American adults seem to have no excuse for missing out on a fulfilling education. In contrast to today’s college students, who have so many privileges handed to them, how did education look for aspiring young adults in the 1930s? According to the New York Times, in 1930, a meager thirty percent of teenages even graduated highschool, while presently that number has skyrocketed to nearly ninety percent. As for college, a statistic by Infoplease, states that in 2020 thirty-seven percent of American college students had four or more years of college education. This statistic stands in stark contrast to the 4 percent of students  who graduated from college in the year 1933. How can these statistics make sense since young adults set the standard for strong work ethic, and the drive and efficiency that keeps this country running smoothly. Apparently, it’s necessary to take a closer look at the circumstances that made higher education such a challenge for our forefathers. 

        The 1930s, which were fittingly labeled the years of the ‘Great Depression’, were extremely hard times for Americans. The widespread economic and cultural obstacles left a mark on all of America's citizens. Not to mention that the deadliest war in American history closed out the decade. These ubiquitous challenges had an impact on every part of Americans' lives, including education. Whether in college or high school,  young adults often had to decide between pursuing higher education and staying fed n and clothed. This led many of them to leave school in search of work or housing.  The standard of sufficient food and housing and seemingly unlimited financial  resources in the current generation leads to many more opportunities for today’s young  adults to get a good education. At first glance, it may seem like this current generation is  overly privileged and does not take full advantage of the boundless educational  opportunities this country provides; however, it is true that humans adapt to what they  know and may not fully appreciate the sacrifices made by previous generations.  Therefore, with gratitude, the current generation needs to reflect on the sacrifices that  were made to provide them with educational opportunities and pursue their learning as  a means to a better  vocation. Today's young adults should seek to model the skill and  pride their grandparents displayed. As stated by Malcom X, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

        After contrasting the stark difference between the educational opportunities of this generation and their great grandparents, it will be helpful to take a closer look at our  1930s young adult’s education and career future. As a young adult who was about to  graduate from college during the Great Depression, Walter was a step ahead of his  peers. Although there was a rise of college graduates through the 1930’s, the number  still stayed very low through the challenging years of the Depression. Walter persevered  through his years in dentistry school, not willing to let his parents' hard earned money  go to waste. As stated in a newspaper article posted on The Carolina Story, the average  cost of tuition and full expenses in a state college in the year 1938 was an astounding  three-hundred fifty dollars on average, with very few students opting to take out a  college loan. As a college graduate going into the field of dentistry, Walter would have  more vocational and financial stability than many of his peers, which would serve  to be useful as the cost of living in 1937 rose to four-thousand dollars per year  (Association for Entrepreneurship). This posed a problem considering that the average yearly salary was $1125. Although it was a struggle to make  ends meet at times, Walter was thankful for the sacrifice his parents had made to send  him to college so he could provide for himself and his future family.

Although the hardships the past generations have gone through to keep this  nation strong are truly inspiring, what about this generation? Examining the career and  educational opportunities of Ryder, and how they will affect his future, will give us a  glimpse into the life of the modern young adult who has been given many privileges that  should lead to personal success. Ryder, along with many of his peers, struggles with his  outlook on his future career. Living in a society where frequently changing career paths  is becoming more common, Ryder resists finishing his college degree  just to follow in his father’s footsteps. The Student Research Group reveals that eighty  percent of college students change their degree at least once, while many choose to  explore multiple degrees while in college. In the past this was not an option for many  students, who were expected to stick with their chosen degree whether they wanted to  or not. In a society with endless educational opportunities, many students may leave a  certain degree too soon, purely because of impatience, which can lead to wasted  money and regret in the future. However, Ryder is confident in his choice to be a social  media entrepreneur and hopes that he will someday become one of the famed top one  percent. As long as his parents house him for free, Ryder uses his vision and big  ambition, which is one of his generation's strengths, to reach what he believes will lead  to a fulfilling life. Quick fame and fortune, so he can maintain a high standard of living.

As stated by G. Michael Hopf, “Hard times create strong men. Strong men create  good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.” We live  in a time where young adults have some of the greatest advantages of any Americans  who have ever lived, and many of today’s youth are not lacking ambition.. Unfortunately  there are so many people of past generations, who are willing to write this generation  off, claiming they have been weakened by the handouts and privileges past generations  had to earn In evaluating and contrasting the current American young adult in  comparison to his great grandfather in career and education. It is evident that  many sacrifices were made so this generation could prosper. However, what is also apparent is that the current generation has not lost the ambition of the generations before them. God has blessed America with centuries of pioneers, who had major aspirations. Those dreams, paired with their liberty and work ethic, made a formidable force. As current young adults decide what to do with the many privileges placed before them in their lives, they must reflect on the sacrifices and pain so many of their predecessors endured to help the nation progress. The work ethic and drive of the past combined with the opportunities and ambition of the present, could lead to a very bright future. The current generation must not forget the truth that this proud country’s founders recognized. That is that God reigns over the future of this nation. As stated in Psalm, 22:28, “For Kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.”