Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

Bjarne Riis, a former winner of the Tour de France, says that many of today's young cyclists are spoiled. They want success, but are unwilling to suffer and sacrifice for it. I think this goes well beyond cycling, and even beyond sport. There is an entitlement mentality among young people. They think they have a right to food, fuel, clothing, shelter, medical care, and other necessities. They think a college degree guarantees remunerative employment, when in fact it guarantees nothing. They think certain jobs are beneath them. They think it unfair that others have more than they do. The idea of saving for the future, or delaying gratifications, is alien to them. It's as though they want to retire before they work!