The share of young adults who have never said “I do” is at an historic high. For many, marriage looks increasingly unattainable. The reason more women than ever are responding, “Thanks, but no thanks” may surprise you.
Unlike the misbehaving celebrities we see on TV, the vast majority of wealthy people are not Ivy-league educated, luxury seeking socialites. They are—surprise!—hard working, small business owners with middle class values.
Instead of responsible spending and living within a budget, we often focus on acquiring the material accouterments associated with success. But desire for instant gratification and the denial of long-term consequences may be ruining your future.
Older, often industrial urban areas are being transformed into cool, hip enclaves in scores of cities. Young educated professionals, largely single, childless, and sometimes gay, are moving into these upscale neighborhoods.
Young persons like to think they have less bias than their parents, but in fact they are simply bigoted about different things. Many are down on fat people, smokers, and people who drive Humvees, for example, rather than race or sexual orientation.
Many teenagers underestimate the impact that random events can have on their lives because they believe that warnings apply only to other people. They rationalize behaviors by saying “I know the risk but it won’t happen to me.”
Adam Smith (1723–1790) was a brilliant, if not eccentric, Scottish economist, philosopher, and psychologist all rolled into one. Smith explained why, despite our selfish feelings, an internal voice helps us be more sensitive to the needs of others.
For every generation after WWII until now, population flowed from the city to the suburbs. But that tide, which long seemed inexorable, has begun to reverse. Nowadays, America’s cities are competing to lure well-educated Gen NeXters into vibrant and growing urban cores.
Why do many of us feel so rushed? If our watches are in good working order, time is the same for everybody. The problem is less how much time we have than how we perceive it. Increasingly, the stress-o-meter is maxed out.
For many, raising children is the defining purpose in life. Done correctly, raising a child can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences. But loving one’s children and loving parenting are not the same thing.
