Teen Age Boys

I watched a mom and dad rake leaves and kill themselves with exertion to make their yard look nice, while two healthy teen age boys sat in the house and did not help. I have not a clue why the parents do not get their aid, but I think it is a terrible mistake, not to have all kids help take care of the families' work load. They are not too delicate, or too refined, or two well educated to do such menial chores. It could be that the parents' asked and the kids refused to help, and so the parents caved in and just decided to do it themselves to avoid conflict. If I was the Dad, I would be on their cases unconditionally to get outside and help their mother, or being grounded, face suspension of privileges, going out with their friends, the use of social media, car-driving (If it came to steadfast refusal to assist, I would refuse to pay for their college education.)etc. They need to get the message loud and clear that there is not free lunch, for each has to work if he would eat. We are raising a generation of youngsters that do not know how to do anything practical. They will be helpless and dependent as adults because they have never had to work with their dad and learn out to fix things, run a household, cook, balance a check book, clean up after the dog, and so on. They need to learn to honor their father and their mother, and assisting them around the house is a good place to start. They need to learn that no job is too humble for them to do. They need to learn that caring for the family and its welfare, even when they are married and long gone from the nest, is a primal duty and commitment for them, for life. Let them rake a few leaves; it will do them good. Caring for the family is a duty for all, joiner or loner, collectivist or an individual and and individualist.