[techweenie]

I'm not a parent, so put what follows in that perspective.

When I was growing up in the 50s, children were not the center of the universe. There was stuff made for us, but activities and products for the "grown ups" took precedence. Parents didn't arrange play dates or do much -- if any -- chauffeuring of kiddies. You wanted to play in the park, you did so. Wanted to go on a "bike hike;" you did it. Mom & dad might or might not ask what you did during the day.

Today, and for the past couple decades, kids are the center of the universe. Parents sacrifice their time, attention and leisure to the service of children's issues and activities.

As a result, you hear stories in the business world of 20-somethings having little allegiance or commitment. They do not feel badly if they miss a deadline or don't show up on time. And they *will* leave when they feel it's time; not when the tasks are done. They are literally the weak link in the chain. I've heard of parents -- mothers, mostly -- showing up to ask why their kids haven't been promoted(yes, this has happened!).

Because for the past 20 years, every child has been "special." Their every whim and mood has been important. And the explosion in child-focused marketing and entertainment has made billions. The biggest expansion has been in passive entertainment. Activity like playing in the park can't be monetized the way a video game or TV show or movie can. So actual physical activity has declined overall (a generalization, but obesity rates reflect this) and the world becomes a passing array of images and sounds requiring minimal involvement. If there is no pleasure linked to the tactile activity of sawing a board or tightening a bolt, then fewer and fewer are drawn in to that type of physical interaction with the world.

We have a generation and a half of "judges" of activity -- expert observers who really aren't much good at "doing."