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> Why are kids killing themselves in utopia? Why are some of the worlds most intelligent, rich, and power adults burying their children? I think the ideas that

> Why are kids killing themselves in utopia? Why are some of the worlds most intelligent, rich, and power adults burying their children? I think the ideas that Palo Alto is "utopia," and that intelligence, wealth and power are all you need to make your children happy, are really quite telling. Perhaps expensive houses and influential careers are orthogonal to children's happiness and well-being, or perhaps even an intensely competitive career- and wealth-focused environment has negative side-effects with respect to one's family? I don't think that suburban ennui is anything new, and equating affluence and education to happiness is short-sighted in my mind.

xahrepap 11y ago
Anecdotal, but there are studies out there in child/family studies that back my experience: I'm a foster parent. My foster kids have more access to the riches of the world... are less hungry, have more toys, have more movies, bigger TVs, etc. Not to mention, I treat them in such a way that doesnt get the state to want to remove them from their home. However, one of my foster kids once said to me, "I really like you and your house. You have a nicer house than my parents and more toys. But I like living with MY parents more." This kid was <7 years old when (s)he said that. Even young children recognize that there is more to a parent/child relationship than "stuff". What it boils down to is: they want to be with their families. I've noticed that a lot of people who live in Palo Alto or similar areas work ... A LOT. Which means more time with their job and less time with their families.
eli_gottlieb 11y ago
Well I would hope that nobody would refer to Palo Alto as "utopia" unironically, but unfortunately that is basically the attitude that the Bay Area and California as a whole do seem to hold about themselves. It oozes from the place in a way that's more than a little offensive to visiting outsiders.

xahrepap 11y ago

Anecdotal, but there are studies out there in child/family studies that back my experience: I'm a foster parent. My foster kids have more access to the riches of the world... are less hungry, have more toys, have more movies, bigger TVs, etc. Not to mention, I treat them in such a way that doesnt get the state to want to remove them from their home. However, one of my foster kids once said to me, "I really like you and your house. You have a nicer house than my parents and more toys. But I like living with MY parents more." This kid was <7 years old when (s)he said that. Even young children recognize that there is more to a parent/child relationship than "stuff". What it boils down to is: they want to be with their families. I've noticed that a lot of people who live in Palo Alto or similar areas work ... A LOT. Which means more time with their job and less time with their families.

eli_gottlieb 11y ago

Well I would hope that nobody would refer to Palo Alto as "utopia" unironically, but unfortunately that is basically the attitude that the Bay Area and California as a whole do seem to hold about themselves. It oozes from the place in a way that's more than a little offensive to visiting outsiders.