Self sufficiency in today's youth and young adults

[MrG]

In the past people moved out, got married and lived fully fledged lives full of their own unique challenges just after high school and army training (for men).

Today the image seems to have changed slightly.

What in your mind is acceptable/targets for people aged in the ranges:
16 - 18
19 - 21
22 - 25
26 - 30
30+

Where should what responsibilities come into play. When should kids stop getting allowances, start earning their own money for parties, vehicles, petrol, medical aid, move out and such. When does (should) the parental assistance factor no longer play a role.

Keen to hear what is considered a defacto standard (or acceptable) and what is simply plain lazy.

[Dan]

IMHO you should be earning your own spending money in high school already. Nothing's stopping you from working a part-time job or two, especially when you start moving into your varsity years.

Once you're working I think it's selfish to keep sponging from your parents. Pay your own way and give them a break.

[symbolofmylife]

Where should what responsibilities come into play. When should kids stop getting allowances, start earning their own money for parties, vehicles, petrol, medical aid, move out and such. When does (should) the parental assistance factor no longer play a role.

Keen to hear what is considered a defacto standard (or acceptable) and what is simply plain lazy.

I'd say from as early as legally possible. The sooner a youngster learns to work for his/her own cash, the better.

I have to say it isn't always as easy but at least it will teach them the reap-and-sow equation.

I have a family member who's 28 who has not worked in the last 2 years. Just leeches off the parents. It's plain off-putting.

[sycogrim]

IMHO you should be earning your own spending money in high school already. Nothing's stopping you from working a part-time job or two, especially when you start moving into your varsity years.

Once you're working I think it's selfish to keep sponging from your parents. Pay your own way and give them a break.

In all fairness, I pay rent to my parents every month however I also still clean up the place when it needs to be done as though it was my own apartment etc... I think paying my way and helping around in general is the best way to go.

[Graal]

IMHO you should be earning your own spending money in high school already. Nothing's stopping you from working a part-time job or two

Except for the lack of actual jobs.

[Dan]

Except for the lack of actual jobs.

There are always jobs for waiters, salespeople and such. I worked two jobs simultaneously in high school and three simultaneously when I was at WITS so there really is no excuse. The split second I started working as an intern I moved out despite earning the handsome sum of R3500 a month and paying R1800 monthly towards my student loan. (Don't even ask how I afforded rent and food.)

I get really hacked off with freeloaders who live the good life while still mooching off their parents. I have a mate who's almost 30 and earning over R20k a month while still living for almost nothing with his ballies. His mom still makes him lunch to take to work every day and his biggest worry is the ridiculous car payments on his brand new (unnecessary) car.

Not cool.

[Fluffelana]

In my opinion, the sooner you start working the better - I started working as a waiter in school to pay for my stuff such as clothes, going out etc. the big stuff such as medical aid, school fees etc my parents paid.
there is nothing wrong with working one or two jobs while in school and studying to pay for stuff, it teaches u how to handle money and so on.

If your parents are in a position to help u financially and they are also willing, then go for it but that doesn't mean u can be a freeloader either or not work.

my experiences are that I had to work from age 15 to pay for my own stuff. I am now working in a permanent position but unfortunately don't earn enough to pay my own way 100% so my mom still helps me out with rent and car insurance etc. the rest I pay myself and I make a plan for. studies I paid for via a student loan that I am now paying off and while it's not easy every month, I manage and can still do stuff. I do pay my mom back as much as I can where I can and the rest I will do when I move on to my next job.

The reality these days is for most young people (age 22 or so) who have just finished studying are most likely to get a basic salary that will not come close to covering all the expenses and we have to rely on our families still.
life is expensive and employers just don't care and can get away with paying to nothing, and we put up with it as at least we have a job.


those who earn decent salaries and can afford to be self-sufficient then should be. there is no excuse for being a freeloader then as others have mentioned.

also there will always be a job if u look hard enough and u can always work as a waiter etc, it may not be what u want but if it pays the bills...

[DenSweeP]

As utterly wrong as it is to mooch off your folks, whether you have a job or not, it is in my opinion almost more wrong(delightful Engrish) of the parents to allow it. Parents enable this to happen and should realise they are not just spoiling their kids, but actually doing them harm in the long run.

[Ichigo]

I have 2 jobs but sadly one only pays R1200 and other pays R0 which is volutary work plus 1200 from disability fund, so I definitely can't cover all the bills.

So my mom helps me with accommodation and the rest of the things I can't pay for. I pay for her Adsl and Dstv.

[sycogrim]

I have 2 jobs but sadly one only pays R1200 and other pays R0 which is volutary work plus 1200 from disability fund, so I definitely can't cover all the bills.

So my mom helps me with accommodation and the rest of the things I can't pay for. I pay for her Adsl and Dstv.

Thats BS when it comes to disability funds, people should be earning the same salary as they were before shit hit the fan, it's always kak when you gotta live on a very low budget life...