I think learned helplessness is a real problem.<p>We have friends in their late 30's and early 40's who still live with multiple roommates. They're "well educated" but can't seem to hold a job, or stay in a relationship, or pay for anything. They've got subscriptions ticking away that they didn't remember they had, and then they're shocked to learn about an overdraft fee or a big credit card bill.<p>One of them recently got a high paying job at a medical office and then abruptly quit because "there weren't any photos of black people on the office walls." They like to remind everyone of how broke they are, but they have new cars or new car leases, a new iPhone every other year, and seem to have plenty of money for weed. Lots and lots of weed.<p>When they do get a job, they're always the victim, nothing is ever their fault. Or they'll complain about how much work they have to do, or how fast they're expected to move. But they do nothing quickly, it's like their neurons don't fire. They'll spend 30 minutes in a dazed state trying to figure out how to arrange groceries in a single bag.<p>And they're always late, to everything. They're late to dinner, to gym class, to the movies, to important events. It doesn't seem to bother them at all. Being late is part of their "woe is me" disposition.<p>They're all good people, but their brains are a gelatinous mess and they exist in a perpetual state of helpless confusion. Lights are on, no one's home. They got a master's degree but didn't learn anything about how interest works?<p>We've tried to help in any way we can. We've helped them with job applications and basic communication skills, taught one of them about credit card statements and due dates, and helped another pay down and close out 15 rewards cards.<p>Yeah yeah, there's lots of nuance that I've left out, lots of reasons for the current condition of a large demographic, lots of reasons for families to live and stay together. I'm just saying, I am constantly surprised (especially when hiring) at how careless and sluggish some people are about...everything.