1.
Demographics determine labor markets. When 11M seniors flood entry-level roles, they crowd out the inexperienced — and employers prefer reliability over training potential.
2.
Perceived safety kills real preparation. Parents terrified by media created a generation tracked 24/7, nested at home, unprepared for workplace adversity when stakes are low.
3.
Cultural shifts compound structural forces. College obsession drove kids to enrichment over work — but admissions counselors actually prefer job experience over expensive programs.
