The Parents are Normal, Their Children are Failures

They can't be entirely normal if their children are failures, so it might be more useful to say the children are the result of hidden deficiencies in the parents. That on closer inspection, are not so hidden.

Parenting is a difficult business, and that is why I have no children. But most people feel they must have children, and they have them, even if that involves a terrific struggle. Once they have them, they feel they are superior people and are entitled to a large share of the world's goods.

And in the last half of the 20th Century in America, this is what happened. They had a baby boom and a corresponding boom in housing and cars.

Now, this is over, they are desperate and will follow anyone who promises to bring the Good Times back.