Strapped

http://www.strappedthebook.com/

This looks like an interesting book, with a very close to the heart topic for myself, and probably most of you. The transition to adulthood is hard. The premise of the book is that it is much harder to make the transition these days. I read the introduction (under 'exerpts' on the website). While I'm sure that is it is harder in some ways, I can't help but wonder if part of it is a vast improvement of what is the standard of living that is demanded. He talks about the rising costs of college, but doesn't talk about where that money is going. He talks about the rising costs of housing, but doesn't address the average size of houses or apartments.

I can't help but believe that at least part of the problem is the unreasonable ideas that our generation has about how we should be living. How many people bike to work every day? (My dad did this for several years). How many people don't have a cell phone? (our parent's all lived without them fine for years) Or an internet connection? (Most public libraries provide free internet service). Is a cup of coffee really worth $5+? And do you really need it every day? ($5 every weekday is over $1700 a year).

He says in his intro that young adults believe that they can't count on help from the government, and as such simply try to get by by themselves. I obviously have this view, since I think the solution lies largely with changing our explectations about how we can live. I think that the bigger issues of injustice and wealth distribution need to be addressed. Clearly there need to be broad changes in our culture. But as we await these, we can do our part by not giving into the cultural pressure of our 'rights' that are being created by ads and media about how we are to live.