Swhet Productions

In our prevoius posts, me and my chum Hunter talked about how lazy our society is. With laziness comes complaints. Today, I'm going to dive into a little more detail of some of the most common complaints I hear.

1. "I have school."

As previously mentioned, todays kids hate school. They hate learning. They hate everything about responsibilty. Yet, going to school is quite obviously a privilege. Here are some numbers for you:

793,000,000 People in the world are illiterate (11% If that doesn't seem significant to you, that is just over 1 in 10 people)

99% of Canadians 15 and over are literate (Roughly 44,000 people in Canada are illiterate)

99% of Americans are literate (5,135,000 people in America are illiterate)

The least literate country in the world is Mali with 26.2% (Mali is a country of roughly 15 million people, that's more than 4 million people who cannot read)

These numbers may seem insubstantial to you but consider how hard it is to get a job when you cannot read. Consider how hard it is to do anything when you cannot read. You wouldn't be able to take medication, to take notes, to follow directions, to go to school. A large portion of people in the world do not have access to proper education. But for some reason, people in Canada (and other first world countries) do not feel the need to go to school. They take advantage of the lean system put in place by the government and decide they do not need education. Consider how hard it would be to get a job? That leads me into my next complaint:

2. "I have to work."

The younger a person gets a job, the better. As mentioned before, most jobs require the ability to read. But that is besides the point. Working puts food on the table, roofs over our heads, and clothes on our backs (and legs, feet, stomachs, sometimes heads if nesissary.) If a high school student gets a job while they are still living at home they should a) save the money or b) spend it on things that will be useful to you after you move out. For example, I already have most of the stuff I will need to furnish my apartment/basement suite when I'm ready to move out.

When people complain about going to work they should stop and think about all the unemployed people in the world. (9% in 2009 and rising, 30% in non-industrialized countries and up to 12% in developed countries either un- or under-employed) Most of these people dream of having any sort of job to put food in their stomachs. To keep them warm and safe. To keep their children safe.

3. "My family is middle class"

I live in an upper-middle family, however, I am not spoiled. I have been taught how to manage money, and have been taught the hardships of finances once I move out. If you grow up in a rich family 9 times out of 10 you won't be taught the importance of independance, the importance of saving your money, the importance of choosing what is necissary and what is not, and how dangerous guilt-free spending can be.

I have a couple friends who are, indeed, rich. Loaded, one might say. They both have cars, they both have parents who dish out money to them, they are both my age(17), and they both have no idea what life would be like without money being thrown at them.

Being in a middle class house means you have your basic needs met and you have some luxuries. In this way of life, you can learn how you to manage your money and to look forward to what you will need once you move out, but you do not have to worry about your mum or dad missing a pay cheque and suddenly losing everything.

4."My parents never leave me alone."

Immediately, this one should be interpreted as "My parents care about me." Studies show that as little as sitting down for dinner every night with your family can reduce a kids risk of getting involved with drugs by 90% then that of a child who's parents are never home.

Parents who are always around will seem annoying, and do nothing but get on your nerves, but it also means, that the once or twice you do need them there to talk to, they WILL be there, and there will be a better connection between you, making things less uncomfortable. One thing you should always remember: A parent's love is unconditional. Even if they don't show it, parents will always love you, and even after a huge fight will always be there for you. I know loads of people who's parents are either always out just because, or are always working because they have to, who complain about it all the time, but really, have told me that all they want is their parents respect, and to have them actually talk to them every once in a while.

So if your parents are always trying to get you to talk to them, consider it a good thing. Because the alternitave is much worse.

5. "I'm on my period."

Straight off, any girl (if there are any girls) reading this will say "You're a guy. You don't know how bad it sucks." Well, ignoring the fact I've been told, I know it can't be as bad as the alternitave, being pregnant. Especially at the age of 17. 3-10 days (depending on the person) once a month I'm sure is preferable to 9 months of having something stuck inside you, several ours of that thing being forced out of you, and a lifetime of responsibility and stress.

Even guys who complain about their girlfriends being on their periods should take a step back and instead of saying "She's crazy right now." Say,  "She's not pregnant."

And one last thing for the girls, you get to use your period as an excuse. A one way ticket to everything-is-good-againville. After an argument that seems like it could end a relationship, simply call the person up the next day and say "Sorry I went off my rocker. I was on my period." I know personally, as a guy, I would love to have a period, just to use as a get-out-of-jail free card.