Long-Term Money

Generational progress inherently creates a reality where children appear spoiled relative to their ancestors, yet this shift is the fundamental objective of parental hard work. Historical perspectives reveal that modern luxuries, such as basic antibiotics or abundant grocery stores, would seem magical and indulgent to figures like Adam Smith or Queen Anne, who faced extreme infant mortality and medical ignorance. Rather than viewing a lack of struggle as a moral failing, it should be recognized as a transition to higher-order problems; while one generation toils for food and shelter, subsequent ones focus on education, work-life balance, or medical breakthroughs like curing cancer. This evolution follows the trajectory described by John Adams, where each generation’s sacrifices grant the next the liberty to pursue more refined disciplines. Ultimately, the perceived entitlement of younger generations is the successful result of accumulated grit, allowing heirs to solve new problems rather than relitigating old survival battles.