The marketplace is also brutal in its treatment of today's youth. In many stores, teens are routinely scrutinized as likely shoplifters, even with no probable cause. Despite the facts that many teens hold at least a part-time job and have more disposable income than many other age brackets, the stereotype of a teen as an irresponsible slacker leads to their being treated as potential criminals instead of valued customers. The state is perhaps the largest enemy of youth. These portions apply to everyone in the US, not only juveniles.
Young people learn many interesting lessons from such shenanigans.
They learn that burying nasty surprises in big packages is a successful tactic, as is bait and switch. Hearts and Minds Today's culture enables or adds to the alienation and discontent teens naturally feel. Hyde is more right than he knows. The feelings of despair, of not being cared about, run rampant in today's kids. We see the results in the teen suicide rate, the date rape rate among teens, and the escalation of violence in once-peaceful suburban public schools.