Mind... the (income) gap

[KopiKat]

It is kind of strange if the last generation of smarter kid, being successful themselves, have kids that performed on par or even lower than the kids from the lower strata of the society statistically.

Some of the last generation smart kids spoil their own kids by giving them 'too much' material stuff while they're too busy making more money to maintain their lifestyle. Without proper supervision, some of these kids become disinterested in their studies and with too much free time on hand, prefers to enjoy themselves thoroughly with their material stuff + spending power. They do badly in school, get into disciplinary problems (some even joined / start a gang). Inevitably, they ended up with lower educational qualifications and are either forced to take on lowly paid jobs or in most cases, gets roped into businesses by their relatives (most likely parents behind the scenes). After numerous 'hardships', some may see the light and start working hard for themselves and actually become successful (many will not succeed and end up moving socially downward when their parents are no longer around to help them). We then get to read about their success stories in Sunday Times and their boasts about how they were 'greatly disadvantaged' as they'd done badly in their studies when they were young...

Not strange at all IMO. Born rich kids are disadvantaged from the start since their parent's wealth prevents them from experiencing real hardships. The best is to be born poor but yet society gives you the chance to climb out of it. But then, their kids would be born rich right? And the cycle repeats...

To break the cycle, the kids should be brought-up as poor kids even the parents are rich.

There are no shortage of example. Taiwan's president Mr. Ma's daughters are a good example. I believe the same for MM Lee's and PM Lee's kids

Bringing up kids is tougher than Investing in Stocks. It's similar as it's a combination of Art & Science. For the rich, it can be more science as they just pay for the best and out-source most of it. For the rest of us, we'll have to use our magical Arts often....

[WolfT]

Different Era cannot compared.
It is like Army days when my father's era keep harping their time more siong, then my era we keep harping the same thing to the next generation.
Our times don't have internet or still using modem and internet not so many website, wanna see porn still have to go to friend's hse and watch.
What i am saying is that if having comfort life is the norm why insist on taking a hardship life for the children?So that they grow up faster?
Every batch have it's good and bad , why worry?
Let nature take its course

[smallcaps]

To break the cycle, the kids should be brought-up as poor kids even the parents are rich.

There are no shortage of example. Taiwan's president Mr. Ma's daughters are a good example. I believe the same for MM Lee's and PM Lee's kids

Don't think it's possible. Imagine children who see their parents or siblings suffer due to illnesses that could have been treatable if had loads of money, a family of five squeezing into a small rental flat or maybe staying with relatives instead. I really don't think any rich parents would choose to do that voluntarily. The children might grow up to have the correct moral values but probably they wouldn't have the driven personality to be not poor.

[CityFarmer]

To break the cycle, the kids should be brought-up as poor kids even the parents are rich.

There are no shortage of example. Taiwan's president Mr. Ma's daughters are a good example. I believe the same for MM Lee's and PM Lee's kids

Don't think it's possible. Imagine children who see their parents or siblings suffer due to illnesses that could have been treatable if had loads of money, a family of five squeezing into a small rental flat or maybe staying with relatives instead. I really don't think any rich parents would choose to do that voluntarily. The children might grow up to have the correct moral values but probably they wouldn't have the driven personality to be not poor.

An engineering discussion without definition lead to nowhere, probably true also for all discussion.

Pardon me for not defining the term "poor". "Poor life", within the context of discussion, means middle class's life, or the life majority of us live.

I believe it is possible and practical for the following (for rich parents)
- Kids go school by school bus, instead of by chauffeur
- Kids take vacation jobs for extra pocket money during school holiday, instead of "unlimited" extra pocket money from parents
- etc...

[smallcaps]

To break the cycle, the kids should be brought-up as poor kids even the parents are rich.

There are no shortage of example. Taiwan's president Mr. Ma's daughters are a good example. I believe the same for MM Lee's and PM Lee's kids

Don't think it's possible. Imagine children who see their parents or siblings suffer due to illnesses that could have been treatable if had loads of money, a family of five squeezing into a small rental flat or maybe staying with relatives instead. I really don't think any rich parents would choose to do that voluntarily. The children might grow up to have the correct moral values but probably they wouldn't have the driven personality to be not poor.

An engineering discussion without definition lead to nowhere, probably true also for all discussion.

Pardon me for not defining the term "poor". "Poor life", within the context of discussion, means middle class's life, or the life majority of us live.

I believe it is possible and practical for the following (for rich parents)
- Kids go school by school bus, instead of by chauffeur
- Kids take vacation jobs for extra pocket money during school holiday, instead of "unlimited" extra pocket money from parents
- etc...

Might not be convincing if ask the kids to go by school bus when the parent is chauffeured around...

[pubster]

To break the cycle, the kids should be brought-up as poor kids even the parents are rich.

There are no shortage of example. Taiwan's president Mr. Ma's daughters are a good example. I believe the same for MM Lee's and PM Lee's kids

Don't think it's possible. Imagine children who see their parents or siblings suffer due to illnesses that could have been treatable if had loads of money, a family of five squeezing into a small rental flat or maybe staying with relatives instead. I really don't think any rich parents would choose to do that voluntarily. The children might grow up to have the correct moral values but probably they wouldn't have the driven personality to be not poor.

An engineering discussion without definition lead to nowhere, probably true also for all discussion.

Pardon me for not defining the term "poor". "Poor life", within the context of discussion, means middle class's life, or the life majority of us live.

I believe it is possible and practical for the following (for rich parents)
- Kids go school by school bus, instead of by chauffeur
- Kids take vacation jobs for extra pocket money during school holiday, instead of "unlimited" extra pocket money from parents
- etc...

From what I think, just giving them enough to spend (food and some stationary) is enough. Additional money can be earn by doing house chores (so they know money don't come free).

Not showering them with luxury (iphone 5 for primary school kids?) is also helpful to their growth.

Of course different people will have different definations of 'enough' or 'luxury'. As long as it works for them and their kids can grow up with the right money-management skills, its alright. All roads leads to Rome.

Anyway, no need for kids to really experience a "poor life". From time to time, bring them to help out as volunteers at aged home, orphanage, etc will help them to open their eyes.

[CityFarmer]

To break the cycle, the kids should be brought-up as poor kids even the parents are rich.

There are no shortage of example. Taiwan's president Mr. Ma's daughters are a good example. I believe the same for MM Lee's and PM Lee's kids

Don't think it's possible. Imagine children who see their parents or siblings suffer due to illnesses that could have been treatable if had loads of money, a family of five squeezing into a small rental flat or maybe staying with relatives instead. I really don't think any rich parents would choose to do that voluntarily. The children might grow up to have the correct moral values but probably they wouldn't have the driven personality to be not poor.

An engineering discussion without definition lead to nowhere, probably true also for all discussion.

Pardon me for not defining the term "poor". "Poor life", within the context of discussion, means middle class's life, or the life majority of us live.

I believe it is possible and practical for the following (for rich parents)
- Kids go school by school bus, instead of by chauffeur
- Kids take vacation jobs for extra pocket money during school holiday, instead of "unlimited" extra pocket money from parents
- etc...

Might not be convincing if ask the kids to go by school bus when the parent is chauffeured around...

Well, you are right, kids will complain, but they will appreciate it after they grow-up.

[smallcaps]

To break the cycle, the kids should be brought-up as poor kids even the parents are rich.

There are no shortage of example. Taiwan's president Mr. Ma's daughters are a good example. I believe the same for MM Lee's and PM Lee's kids

Don't think it's possible. Imagine children who see their parents or siblings suffer due to illnesses that could have been treatable if had loads of money, a family of five squeezing into a small rental flat or maybe staying with relatives instead. I really don't think any rich parents would choose to do that voluntarily. The children might grow up to have the correct moral values but probably they wouldn't have the driven personality to be not poor.

An engineering discussion without definition lead to nowhere, probably true also for all discussion.

Pardon me for not defining the term "poor". "Poor life", within the context of discussion, means middle class's life, or the life majority of us live.

I believe it is possible and practical for the following (for rich parents)
- Kids go school by school bus, instead of by chauffeur
- Kids take vacation jobs for extra pocket money during school holiday, instead of "unlimited" extra pocket money from parents
- etc...

Might not be convincing if ask the kids to go by school bus when the parent is chauffeured around...

Well, you are right, kids will complain, but they will appreciate it after they grow-up.

Actually the children might think that they should be chauffeured around since children's behavior are influenced more by their parent's behavior than what their parents tell them to do. If that is the case, then it might be better to just let the children be chauffeured?

[CityFarmer]

Don't think it's possible. Imagine children who see their parents or siblings suffer due to illnesses that could have been treatable if had loads of money, a family of five squeezing into a small rental flat or maybe staying with relatives instead. I really don't think any rich parents would choose to do that voluntarily. The children might grow up to have the correct moral values but probably they wouldn't have the driven personality to be not poor.

An engineering discussion without definition lead to nowhere, probably true also for all discussion.

Pardon me for not defining the term "poor". "Poor life", within the context of discussion, means middle class's life, or the life majority of us live.

I believe it is possible and practical for the following (for rich parents)
- Kids go school by school bus, instead of by chauffeur
- Kids take vacation jobs for extra pocket money during school holiday, instead of "unlimited" extra pocket money from parents
- etc...

Might not be convincing if ask the kids to go by school bus when the parent is chauffeured around...

Well, you are right, kids will complain, but they will appreciate it after they grow-up.

Actually the children might think that they should be chauffeured around since children's behavior are influenced more by their parent's behavior than what their parents tell them to do. If that is the case, then it might be better to just let the children be chauffeured?

If parents think that it is OK for children be chauffeured, pocket money in thousands per month, iPhone with Gucci cover etc. I respect their choice .

[Temperament]

Don't think it's possible. Imagine children who see their parents or siblings suffer due to illnesses that could have been treatable if had loads of money, a family of five squeezing into a small rental flat or maybe staying with relatives instead. I really don't think any rich parents would choose to do that voluntarily. The children might grow up to have the correct moral values but probably they wouldn't have the driven personality to be not poor.

An engineering discussion without definition lead to nowhere, probably true also for all discussion.

Pardon me for not defining the term "poor". "Poor life", within the context of discussion, means middle class's life, or the life majority of us live.

I believe it is possible and practical for the following (for rich parents)
- Kids go school by school bus, instead of by chauffeur
- Kids take vacation jobs for extra pocket money during school holiday, instead of "unlimited" extra pocket money from parents
- etc...

Might not be convincing if ask the kids to go by school bus when the parent is chauffeured around...

Well, you are right, kids will complain, but they will appreciate it after they grow-up.

Actually the children might think that they should be chauffeured around since children's behavior are influenced more by their parent's behavior than what their parents tell them to do. If that is the case, then it might be better to just let the children be chauffeured?

Yes definitely! Kids are watching with their eyes all the time what their parents do more then listening with their ears.

Even now, i will try to "explain" to my son (already 24 years) what or why we did certain things. Especially what he sees may not be actually be what it seems to be. Don't you agree? At times, you may have to do the same to friends or kins too. No?