This is where I think it comes down to part parenting and part society in general.
If you think about it, Baby Boomers raised the Gen. X crowd which many, as you say, complained they were slackers. Gen. X rised the Gen. Y crowd which is apparently having the same complaints.
In each succesive generation, no matter which one, or how far back you go, always complains about the lack of respect and work ethic of the previous generation, the generation that in fact raised them.
For a new group of youngsters to rebell they have to take it one step further than the generation before them, or it's not rebelling. And each generation will complain about the generations after them.
Kinda a vicious circle with no way to stop it or turn it back.
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