The Twenty-Something Dilemma
In a country that prizes self- reliance and private solutions for social problems, more young adults are doomed to sink, says a new book on the American twenty-something.
Plugged in, narcissistic and upbeat, America’s twenty-somethings may be the most educated, diverse and digitally savvy generation in the country’s history. They are also most likely to be living with their parents. Though they burst into the workforce with expectations of fun and fulfilment (leading employers to grouse about their sense of entitlement), they have been delivered a slap by the recession. Nearly 16% of 18-24-year-olds are unemployed, almost double the national average. Most are simply struggling to keep their heads above water, according to the MacArthur Research Network.
