Bridging the Generational Gap: A Conversation About Work, Wages, and Perseverance

Hello, I’m Bloveslife, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on an interesting conversation I had with my son, Darius, about how our perspectives on work have changed across generations. It’s something that really opened my eyes to the way things have evolved, especially when it comes to how we view jobs, wages, and the value of hard work.

As a member of Generation Z, Darius has a very different outlook on work than I did when I was his age. For instance, he’s not keen on the idea of working at places like KFC, especially when the pay is just \$16 an hour. He argues that, with the rising cost of living today, even working 48 hours a week won’t be enough to cover rent and basic expenses. This viewpoint is so different from the way I thought back in my day, and it got me thinking about how much things have changed.

When I first entered the workforce, I had a very different mindset. I believed in starting small, accepting a low-paying job, and working my way up. I knew that with hard work, promotions, and persistence, I could build a career. Take my time at Motorola, for example. I started with just \$8 an hour, but over the course of four years, I worked hard, got four promotions, and ended up earning \$17 an hour. I always used to tell my kids, “If you’re working at KFC, don’t just settle for being a cashier. Strive to become a manager, and then work your way up to owning a store.” It was all about hustle and pushing through the tough times to get to something better.

However, through my conversation with Darius, I started to understand where Gen Z is coming from. The problem isn’t the willingness to work—it’s the economic reality they’re facing. Wages just aren’t keeping up with inflation, and that’s something I hadn’t fully grasped until recently. In the past, it wasn’t uncommon for companies to give a 3% raise annually to account for the cost of living, plus an additional raise based on performance. Today, even if wages rise by 5%, inflation is often running at 4%, which means that in real terms, people are only seeing a 1% increase in their earnings. With the cost of living soaring, that makes it incredibly hard to get ahead.

Even so, I still stand by the advice I give young people: don’t let the tough times discourage you. If the job you want isn’t available or if the pay isn’t ideal, take what you can get and make the best of it. If you need to, take on two or even three jobs to make ends meet. I know it’s not easy, but sometimes, that’s just the reality we have to face. It’s tough, but it’s important to keep moving forward, no matter what.

The key is perseverance. Never give up, and always give your best effort in whatever job you’re doing. That’s how my generation built its success, and I truly believe that same determination can help today’s young people thrive, even in the face of challenges. Keep pushing, keep striving, and never lose sight of your goals.