"The Economic Folly of a College Degree"

Finally, more people are admitting that a college degree is not the guarantee for future success that so many people thought it was. Take this op-ed piece, for instance. The author explains that even citizens of other countries are seeing that a college degree does not make a person smart or hardworking. I'm glad to see that more writers are sharing this information because, as I explain in Thriving in the 21st Century, most of our children will not need a college degree in the new economy.

Book Site Up and Running

Now that Thriving in the 21st Century has been published, you can read a couple of excerpts from the book, view the table of contents, and learn more about the book itself right here. Check it out!

Teens' Unemployment Rate Now 25%

Working teens get an education that they could never receive at school or home. They learn a variety of skills in addition to working for someone besides their parents. The pay is just a bonus. All teens should work.

But it's getting harder for them to find jobs. A recent study found that 1/4 of today's teens ages 16-19 can't find work. This is a shame, as they're missing out on learning so many things that they'll need to know as adults.

If your teen can't find a job, encourage him or her to create a job by finding unmet needs in your neighborhood. Many a teen has made good money by washing cars, walking dogs or watering gardens.

Takers or Makers?

In Thriving in the 21st Century, I ask the question, "Do you want your children to be producers or consumers?" This is a serious question. Given the changes in our economy, I think children trained to be producers will have the best chance of being able to support themselves as adults in the rapidly changing economy of the 21st century.

A recent article in The Wall Street Journal makes the same point, but gets very specific about why this concept is so important, and how our economy has been negatively affected by the shift from production to consumption. Instead of referring to producers and consumers, the author refers to "takers" and "makers," but the basic concept is the same: an economy that primarily consists of consumers is doomed.

Now Available: Thriving in the 21st Century

Thriving in the 21st Century: Preparing Our Children for the New Economic Reality is now available in print for $13.95 at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, as well as bookstores everywhere.

Here's a look at the Table of Contents:

Introduction

Section 1
How the American World of Work Has Changed
Technological Advances
Off-shoring
A Renewed Global Economy and Changing Living Standards
Learning From the Past
America’s History of Self-Sufficiency
What About the Schools?
Before We Begin
Likely Future Trends in the World of Work
Preparing Our Children for This New Economic Reality

Section 2
The Seven Strengths Your Children Will Need to Thrive in the 21st Century
Strength #1: Creativity and Innovation
Strength #2: Entrepreneurial/Self-Starter
Strength #3: Computer-Literate
Strength #4: Communication Skills
Strength #5: Empathy and Concern for Others
Strength #6: Self-Sufficiency and Practical Skills
Strength #7: Money Smarts

Section 3
Giving Our Children the Advantages of the Seven Strengths

Section 4
Careers
College
Self-Employment and Family Businesses

Conclusion
What Schools Don’t Do
What Parents Should Do
What Parents Should Not Do
What Parents Can Do

Appendix A: It’s OK for Children to Get Bored…Really!
Appendix B: Teaching Children to Recognize and Appreciate Quality
Appendix C: President Obama vs. the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Notes
Index

Stay tuned for excerpts!

Entrepreneurial Kids Finding Success

The high unemployment rate of the past few years has been particularly hard on teens, who are at the age where they're eager to get started on their working lives.

These teens decided to be proactive by starting their own businesses, and the results they've gotten will encourage your teens. Send them the article link; it may be just the inspiration needed to get going on a dream.

The Antidote to Unemployment

Unemployment rates continue to rise in all the largest American cities; the worst areas seem to be those hit hardest by the bursting of the housing bubble.

One of the best ways to counteract the loss of income due to losing your job is having a side business. Even a small regular income can make life much easier.

Do you have a side business? If not, why not start one and get your kids involved in it? It's a great way to prepare them for survival in a rapidly changing economy.