A NY Times article entitled, Under Achieving, chronicles the lives of college students and recent graduates who, due to the economic status of our country, have been unable to find summer employment.  Although some have found jobs they consider less-than-desirable, some of these able-bodied, intelligent, motivated individuals have resigned themselves to a summer of sloth and inactivity. Here's my problem with those who spend their summer mooching off of mom and dad: there are plenty of ways to be productive without having a job.  While it may be true that this generation of college students has worked harder than any other to get this far, it is clear that they are not immune to the tempation of laziness.  This current economy is brutal, it's true, but that only means that the people who were in need before are in need that much more.  Try volunteering in your community.  Run on a local rescue squad or be trained to serve on the local fire department.  Help your parents out by doing projects that they would normally have to pay someone else to do. This "woe is me", "poor, unfortunate me", "I can't believe this is happening to me" attitude is really disgusting.  There are plenty of people out there who need help.  Offer to lend and hand.  I would be willing to bet that you won't regret it.