Quote:I didn't have an opinion either way before this summer. I just presumed that every generation thinks the next one is soft. That notion ended in June.


The civil engineering company I work for hired 10 paid college interns. I have been over all of the interns. All of the foreign kids are hard workers and complain about nothing. If they make a mistake, I guide them through the fix and they adjust accordingly.


The American kids are struggling mightily. They have issues with critical thinking and constructive criticism is taken immediately as an insult and feelings are hurt. I have had to talk to two moms over the phone about the treatment of their adult college aged children. The first phone call caused me concern because I presumed that a mom calling about a worker was a sign that some great bodily harm had happened to them. I had to explain to adults and their moms that correcting behavior is part of my job and that internships are long form interviews/tryouts for potential permanent employment.


I know that is all anecdotal but the kids and their enabling parents appear to be ill equipped for adult life.