Set Up To Fail: How Our Institutions Lie to Our Children About "Success"

NEW YORK - Aug. 2, 2016 - PRLog -- 16 Things Kids Can Do, Inc.
Tel  (212) 213-0257
Cell (917) 683-2625
Contact:  Jung Yoon

NEWS

New York, New York. August, 2016 -- Over the past 30 years the American Dream has slowly transformed from tranquility to terror as people are forced to come to terms with quality of life issues as they approach retirement. And the institutions we trust and rely upon the most are at the root of the problem according to Lyle Benjamin, Executive Director of the non-profit educational organization, "16 Things Kids Can Do" and author of the personal finance book, "Act & Grow Rich: The 99 Percenters Guide on How to Grow & Protect Your Money, Just Like the Rich." (16 Things Press. $19.95)
    Benjamin believes that kids and people are being intentionally mislead by their institutions; from the lack of practical education in schools to the willful profit driven conduct of Wall Street, Banks, the Government and the companies that employ us as adults. From our parents to our future employers to our government, we are taught, trained and tested from a very young age that a college education is the ticket to our future success.
    "It used to be that one wage earner could support a family of four," Benjamin states. "Now, even with two college grads working, the real buying power of wages has been stagnant for 30 plus years. Meanwhile, the cost of everything from a car to a college education to home ownership has tripled. 75% of our college graduates don't end up working in their chosen fields after graduation. On top of that, they have to contend with their student debt that drags after them for years like a ball and chain."
    Benjamin feels that as this generation of children grows into adults they will contend with an array of the most difficult problems this country has faced over an extended period of time on core issues such as Personal Finance, Health, Nutrition, Fitness, Education, Business, Environmental, Social and Life Skills.
    The solution, Benjamin believes, is that kids need to get engaged and energized in more than just learning for the purpose of passing tests.  They need to have real hand-on experience working on projects that impact themselves and others; they need to see the results of their actions so they can uncover the motivation to learn and develop, not just for the sake of grades or to do a job after graduation. And they need to be educated from an early age about how money really works, how business works, and given programs that can really make a difference in their quality of life throughout their lives.
    Benjamin's organization, 16 Things Kids Can Do, is petitioning the President to establish "NATIONAL KIDS' MONTH" where each week in August focuses on these key issues:

     Week 1: Health, Fitness & Nutrition
     Week 2: Financial Literacy & Financial Planning
     Week 3: Communication & Literacy
     Week 4: Social Responsibility & Volunteerism

The programs will provide kids with a pathway for growth, development, maturity and success that will have tremendous rewards during the school-year and beyond.
    Organizations, companies, agencies, and associations will sponsor sanctioned events, workshops, seminars, meetings, activities and programs relating to these areas. Additionally, both programs and parents are encouraged to acknowledge and reward individual and group achievements at various points along the process.
    To show support for NATIONAL KIDS' MONTH, kids, parents and people are being encouraged to sign the Petition to the President on "We the People" White House website page by using the direct link at https://wh.gov/iFU6H.
    "16 Things Kids Can Do" is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit organization that works for the betterment of kids, people and the planet through an on-going network of books, programs, workshops and activities, all designed to help people live happier, healthier and more successful lives. For more information, contact Jung Yoon at 212 213-0257 or 16 Things Kids Can Do, Executive Director, Lyle Benjamin at (917) 683-2625.www.16ThingsKidsCanDo.Org