Dave: While I feel that elements of your post were on target, you also missed some significant points as well.
Speaking solely of Southern California, it goes without saying and often without remark that we live in a very materialistic section of the US. People are judged by their zip code, their cars, their clothes and their “wealth” (which generally means they’re leveraged to their eyeballs).
A sad side effect of this is the impact it has on our kids, especially a willingness to judge people not by their character or virtues, but rather by what they drive and where they live and all the shiny baubles they’ve accumulated.
I don’t think Paramount is mistaken when he opines that time and money are more well spent in trying to raise better kids, or improve the “real” quality of life, which isn’t the mindless acquisition of more things, but just trying to be a better person and live a better life.
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