Fourth Generation

An old Chinese axiom states; "Wealth does not pass three generations.".
Why is this?
Sure, some could argue that the first generation only had to provide for three... maybe four people.
That the limited fortune was enough for one family to do well - but not enough for eight families.

But the real problems are ones expectations.
The first generation does all the hard work to acquire their fortune.
The second generation may see the benefit of hard work (without the fiscal need to do so themselves).
The third generation will become accustomed to having things given to them.

This is where we currently find many of those within our society.
Even many minorities have benefited from the Civil Rights progress made by their grandparents. (First generation)
Most of their parents enjoyed freedoms that couldn't even be imagined by their parents. (Second generation)
And today - even many "poor" children enjoy a lifestyle that would have put the middle-class of past generations to shame. (Third generation)

Walk into ones nearest teen aged relatives bedroom - what do you see?
More clothes than their parents would have had in five years.
Usually a computer, television, some sort of music system, gaming system and personal phone are also present.
These children need all these gizmo's to take up the time gained by a more lax lifestyle.
How many children; do the laundry, mow the lawn, clean the house, babysit siblings, walk to school or the homes of friends, read a book (even if it's for their homework), sew or learn to build?
There is no need to develop these skills - it's just easier to pay someone else to do it.

Ojo asked whether his generation would march on Washington, stage sit-ins, or be able to lead.
I didn't think they would.
Most have never been in a real fight in their lives.
Most are more accustomed to throwing a temper-tantrum over something (and ultimately getting what they want) than they are actually solving the problem.
Most have been coddled to the point of them fighting imaginary windmills.
Their complaints are usually over things that have little or no impact on their daily lives.
C'mon, are; Tiger Woods, Reggie Bush, or a white drill team winning a step competition on the same level as; being hanged, being denied schooling or being denied the right to vote?

But it's not really their fault at all.
Their grandparent's struggles are just old "Black History" to them.
The various media have taken the place of sitting on the front porch and listening to family stories.
Instant pizza and Mac Donald's have taken the place of conversations over dinner.
With parents working longer hours to maintain this lifestyle - friends have become a child's primary source of influence.
Many see themselves as consumers - not creators.

Can this tide be turned?
Sure.
How do we make it past the third generation?
By learning to value what is really important (work, skills and knowledge) and not focusing on what is not (pop culture, the facade of status and a life of ease).
But who wants to do or teach this to another generation?
Isn't it just easier to let them learn it on their own?
Don't parents have their own lives?
Isn't the "I" just as important as the "We"?