ZYCI

In recent years, we've witnessed a troubling trend in the U.S. labor force: the lowest participation rate in 50 years. Prime-age workers, those between 25 and 54, are sitting on the sidelines, and it begs the question: is this a skills gap or a will gap?

On the surface, the issue seems to be a lack of skills. Industries across the board are reporting shortages of qualified workers. From manufacturing to healthcare to technology, employers are struggling to fill roles that require specialized knowledge and abilities.

However, digging deeper reveals a more unsettling reality: many Americans are choosing ease and comfort over hard work and resilience.

We've cultivated a culture that encourages people to avoid discomfort, resulting in a society that is mentally and physically weaker. Weak parenting, handouts, extended unemployment benefits, and the ease of claiming disability have enabled this coddled culture. Instead of teaching resilience and problem-solving, we've been too quick to medicate stress and anxiety. Rather than helping people develop the skills to manage life's inevitable challenges, we've opted for quick fixes and avoidance.

The recent debate over student loan forgiveness highlights another facet of this issue. Paying off student loans and disregarding our national debt sends a troubling message: you don't have to honor your commitments, and it's acceptable to spend money you don't have. This mentality contributes to inflation and makes the American Dream seem out of reach for those who prefer comfort over hard work.

A significant and alarming consequence of this shift is that people no longer aspire to the American Dream because they perceive it as too difficult to achieve. The idea of owning a home, having a stable career, and providing a better future for one's children now seems daunting. The perceived difficulty discourages many from even trying, breeding a sense of complacency that is our true enemy. They think why put in the effort when the path to success appears so steep and fraught with challenges?  Previous generations embraced those challenges and met them head-on, not afraid of hard work, stress and sacrifice. They made their American dream a reality and gave their children easier, less stressful lives than they lived. 

Yes, there is undoubtedly a significant skills gap, but this can be overcome if people have the will to work, to put in the effort, and to learn something challenging. Skills are developed by showing up, working hard, sticking to it, and enduring the uncomfortable and awkward stages of learning something new.



It's time for tough policies that make people uncomfortable and align rewards with effort. Our challenge is more of a "will gap" than a "skills gap." If people have the will, we can teach them the skill. It's not just about filling jobs; it's about fostering a culture of resilience, responsibility, and hard work. Only then can we bridge both the skills gap and the will gap, creating a stronger, more robust labor force and society. Complacency must be combated with a renewed sense of purpose and the belief that the American Dream, while challenging, is attainable and worth striving for.