Sure. Young adults expect to go right into high paying jobs, like it's beneath them to stock shelves or flip burgers for minimum wage. Parents are giving their children whatever they want, like X-Box, PS3, designer clothes, a late model car for their 18th b'day.
There have been plenty of crybabies at every place that I've worked. NSLIJ is one of the top hosp. based 911 providers in NY, but many would gripe about anything and everything, as if the place was a craphole.
At my current employer, which is known around the country as a stellar dept, also has it's share of whiners. When I first got on the job, I couldn't fathom how this was possible, as some would kill their own mother to get on here. I've figured it out, though. There are those on the dept who have never held a serious job in this field, or maybe never had a serious job period.
Parents need to push their children into crap jobs so they can learn a strong work ethic and the value of a dollar. Things are viewed differently when you are required to pay for your own car insurance, clothes, dates, etc.
I've repeatedly witnessed the attitude of "they're not paying me enough to work like this. If they wanted me to work harder, they would be paying me more". Guess what, when you take a job, you're expected to be productive and perform at a high level. YOU chose to work there, so pay your dues. If you want to command a higher salary, increase your education and work experience. We can't all command $20 -30/hr salaries out of college, let alone H.S. Sorry.
My mother stopped paying my way at 14, save room and board. I worked a paper route, and later stocked shelves at a supermarket after basketball season. I loaded trucks overnight for RPS (a ghetto UPS), bounced and bartended. I dropped out of school for accounting at Baruch as it wasn't what I wanted to do, got a delivery job for snapple while still working at niteclubs, and moved out at 22 never to look back. I know people in their 30's that still live with their parents. Can't cut the cord.
This feel good society has turned out adults that expect everything to be delivered to them on a silver platter, minimal effort involved. When they're criticized, they'll whine, quit, go to HR, threaten to sue, etc. Everything but improve themselves a a response for such criticism.
I don't really think that it is fair to put all young adults into this description. True, there are many (too many) who expect to be treated like kings all throughout their life. Than there are those who expect the world to revolve around them. I am not saying that these people don't exist.
However, not all young adults should be put into this category. Not everybody expects to be treated like a king. Not everybody expects to get a high-paying job right after school. Not everybody thinks that they
deserve a good job.
Take me for example. Do I expect to be treated like a king while I work? Nope. Do I expect to to be paid what
I want? No. Do I think that hard work is important, and that I need to earn my pay? Yes! Do I think that I am "above" anything when I am at work? Not really. I may think it, but I NEVER say anything about it. I just do what needs to be done.
I currently work as a karate instructor (been working there for the last 3 years, since I was 16). I worked hard, and I was promoted to the next level of instructor relatively quickly. So I am a fairly high ranking instructor. I am not the highest, but I am not the lowest either. Sometimes, I am asked to do menial tasks, such as cleaning the bathroom, watering plants, etc.. I have NEVER complained about this to my boss, and I have NEVER refused to do anything. Do I think I am above such tasks? Sometimes. But they are just thoughts. Do these thoughts affect what I do? No. Never have, never will. Does this mean I am perfect? Not in the least. Does this show I am a hard worker? In a way (I am, by the way).
Now, I am not saying that no young adults are spoiled, or think they are above menial tasks. In fact, I have a friend who is just like the young adults you are talking about 46young. He thinks he deserves to only do things that he wants to do. He thinks he is above menial tasks. And they are not just thoughts. I really believe he is the type of person you are talking about. At least, that is the way he makes himself sound. It annoys me to no end. I just want him to suck it up, and do it.
For me, money is not a thing that decides how hard I work. In fact, I volunteer many places, and I work hard there, too.
Do I think that everybody should automatically be respected? No. I think they need to earn that respect. Do I think that everybody should be
treated with respect (kindly)? Yes, until they give you a reason to treat them otherwise.
This is all I am trying to say: not all young adults should be lumped in together. Many are spoiled. But others (myself, paramedichopeful [at least, it seems], and others) seem to know that hard work is important.
/rant