Any time as a young boy I didn't agree with them, I got yelled at and told, "Wait until you get into the real world, you'll see how bad things are!"

I was told how cruel people are, and that if you don't pay your bills, the bank immediately throws your stuff on the curb and you're sleeping on the streets.

That if you yawn or complain at your job or don't always work as hard as you possibly can, the boss sends you home and you no longer have employment. That the boss was the "big man" in the corner office and if you cross him, you're dead.

That nobody cares about you, you're just a number and you're always on the razor's edge of unemployment, homelessness, and other poor life decisions.
That you'll just be lucky to be able to work a menial job to pay the bills until you're dead.

I remember a similar spiel from teachers, too.

Ironically, once I graduated college, and got into the "real world" of employment, things aren't nearly as bad as anybody made them out to be. My employers have been friendly and accommodating and supportive. I have sick days, job security and benefits, things I never knew existed when I was taught about employment by my parents.
I thought that if you got sick, you got fired from your job and became homeless.

The irony is, the "real world" of bills, full-time employment, paychecks, responsibility, and other adult things that were supposed to be horrible and stressful are much better than being a child or being in school.

Hell, think that these college professors who talk about the exploitative nature of "big, evil corporations" are taking your money or enslaving you with student loans, whereas these so-called evil corporations are the ones giving you money to work.

All in all, the "real world" is a lot more rewarding than being a dependent child, that's for damn sure.

Yes I do realize some people get a raw deal in life and have bad things happen that they become homeless at no fault of their own, or get sick and lose their job, etc. But that's not every single case like I thought it was. I also recognize I was fortunate enough to be able to go to college and land secure employment.

quote:

Originally posted by acidjazz:
All in all, the "real world" is a lot more rewarding than being a dependent child, that's for damn sure.

One of the first things I discovered after leaving home. I have never understood the nostalgia for being a child.

quote:

Originally posted by acidjazz:


All in all, the "real world" is a lot more rewarding than being a dependent child, that's for damn sure.

big-time

-----------------------------------

No threats about the real world from my folks. The threat from them was "I hope you have kids that are just like you"!
That was scary.

Funny. I was telling the Mrs. how my mother always threatened me with "the real world" when I was younger. I'd say it's been pretty easy to be honest.

And the dishwasher. She lied, it works great. Growing up I was made to believe they didn't work worth a damn. Lies.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
No threats about the real world from my folks. The threat from them was "I hope you have kids that are just like you"!
That was scary.

got some "just like me" - you have no idea how scary that is....

Glad some of you had it so easy.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Peteroniman:

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
No threats about the real world from my folks. The threat from them was "I hope you have kids that are just like you"!
That was scary.

got some "just like me" - you have no idea how scary that is....

Me too! I got lucky, I'm afraid one of em has used his luck up!

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
No threats about the real world from my folks. The threat from them was "I hope you have kids that are just like you"!
That was scary.

My parents wished the same for me and I did x 3.