You may need some measure of resilience to read KIDS THESE DAYS by Malcolm Harris because, while this is a well-written and accessible work, Harris focuses pessimistically on how the generation of millennials (born between 1980 and 2000) has been exploited as human capital. He says, "When you look at some major trends in the lives of American young people, there's good evidence that the quantitative changes over the past three or four decades now constitute a meaningful qualitative rupture, one with repercussions we’ve yet to fully appreciate." He argues that all of the homework and focus on college is a reaction to the need to keep the economy growing, yet he says wages have not grown and debt has increased for this cohort. Harris spends a portion of the book looking at this debate about whether labor saving technology has really benefited workers or owners. In addition, he explores the constant connection and impact of social media, increased expectations for athletes and less opportunity for professional performing artists and musicians. KIDS THESE DAYS is packed with analysis and footnotes, providing an extremely thought-provoking look (with which readers will not always agree) from a millennial about the struggles he believes that his generation faces.

If you've ever been branded a millennial or had to hear the phrase "when I was your age.." then this book is a must-read and a must-have on your bookshelf. Never have I been so glad to have received an arc from NetGalley for this books brings to light the social and economic changes that influenced and enhanced the generation we see now and the generation we complain about but do not fully comprehend. Most of the cultural views and experiences are American but this did not deter my understanding of what the author was exploring, how he went about it and why.