Age Quote by Alissa Quart
“Economically anxious, many parents see their children's accomplishments as a sort of insurance against the financial challenges of old age; high-achieving kids, this logic goes, will become high-earning adults and therefore be better able to help Mom and Dad pay for the assisted-living facility in a few decades.”
About This Quote
Source Article: The New Yorker, 2023
Parents treat children's success as a financial safety net for future elder care.
In simple terms: Kids seen as insurance for old age.
Key Takeaway
Consider broader measures of security.
Themes
family pressure
financial anxiety
future planning
education
Mood
concerned
analytical
critical
Type
essay
opinion
sociological
When to use this quote
- college decisions
- career counseling
- family budgeting
- policy discussion
Key Concepts
intergenerational responsibility
risk management
social expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives exist for elder care planning?
- How does this view affect child development?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on achievement can cause stress.
