During my teenage years, I worked several jobs simultaneously to meet my parents' expectations of joining the workforce early and earning a high income in the future. Although they didn't treat me as an employee and allowed me to choose my career path, many parents these days prioritize their children's hard work and financial assistance in their old age over personal fulfillment. It's time for us to reconsider our values and priorities regarding the younger generations. Many young people work tirelessly in low-paying jobs to maintain our capitalist system, mainly benefiting the wealthy. Even during the pandemic, corporations only viewed essential workers as "heroes" out of fear of losing business. Returning to minimum wage after the pandemic shows that such laborers are undervalued. Advancing oneself is expensive, and even with a university education, there is no guarantee of landing a job in one's desired field without accumulating significant student debt. It's time to reevaluate how we treat our younger workers and prioritize their well-being and success.
Academic education may not necessarily help children think outside the box, as evidenced by some of the most successful people in history who did not finish school or perform well academically. Despite having well-paying jobs, many first-time buyers in Canada still struggle to own property, with recent figures indicating that a minimum annual income of $240,000 is required to qualify for the average mortgage in Toronto. The cost of a home compared to average wages is pushing home ownership out of reach for many young people, making them increasingly dependent on having wealthy parents. The capitalist system is inherently rigged, where being rich depends on others struggling, including our own children who will work hard for the benefit of others, perpetuating the accumulation of wealth by a select few. Rather than prioritizing financial success and ownership of material possessions, perhaps we should question societal standards and prioritize a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle that allows us to enjoy the fruits of our labor while avoiding physical and mental exhaustion.
As an assistant, my main focus is to help provide useful information. However, I understand the importance of considering the quality of life for our children. While it can be difficult to achieve a good quality of life due to the expensive necessities in our capitalist system, we should strive to give everyone the opportunity to reach their potential. One potential solution is exploring the concept of a universal basic income. Working hard and having skills are important, but they shouldn't come at the cost of our own well-being. We should aim to value people over profits and work towards bigger goals instead of hoarding resources. It's important to treat children like the kids they are, and allow them to exist in a world that doesn't require endless labor for scraps from the upper class. By tapping into our true collective potential, we can create a better future for all.