Do you recall Professor Galloway’s “How the US Is Destroying Young People’s Future”? After watching the video, without hesitation, I sent it to my chosen family and family of origin. Unsurprisingly, my chosen family appreciated the information, and shared it to his family of origin. However, both of our families of origin outright ignored the message the presenter wanted their generation to reflect hard on. It was an anticipated letdown despite knowing how out of touch with reality they have been. If you are a millennial born in the late 80s and 90s reading this article, “the current system does not set younger generations up for (inner) success” should be no stranger to you. That is, it is an open secret that the system intends to keep future generations in their place.

Therefore, in today’s article, I want to shed light on belief systems signifying that your family of origin may be just as out of touch as some billionaires, multi-millionaires, as well as those who speak with authority.

Please kindly note that individual experience may vary, this article includes a non-exhaustive list written from a general perspective for informational purposes. Reach out to Berelevant Network for individualized services.

The rationale behind someone losing sight of reality

Do you find yourself often falling into the abyss of despair whenever you try to communicate your feelings or thoughts on how difficult it is to “just live” under the harsh economic conditions with your family of origin? You’re definitely not alone. Your family of origin, in this regard, is likely to be influenced to lose touch with reality. A marionette, so to speak. To be more specific, they are acting exactly as expected. Care to know why?

Like Lord Acton once said, “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. History taught the fortunate that a patriarchal system set out by the oligarchy cannot really exist without a fair (often disguised as hierarchical) system. In other words, just because “democracy” gained its popularity, it doesn’t mean that the future is (going to be entirely) in the people’s hands. Believe it or not, people with generational wealth living in the modern society need financial safety nets – just like ordinary people. A top-down structure, consequently, serves as, from my perspective, a balance of terror. This type of manipulation rewards the general public who have a hard time resisting the allure of wealth. Those who were born with a silver spoon, in fact, have never been truly out of touch with reality. On the contrary, they are the co-creators of “this reality”.

the role of indoctrination

Indoctrination is not education, inspired by Nawal El Saadawi, but a system linked inextricably to a political ideology. It is a way for the privileged to stay in control of resources. This so-called “fair and just system” was created to support indoctrination, and this is where “freedom comes at a price”. The purpose of indoctrination is to control and maintain the status quo, so the core mechanisms of indoctrination are getting your hopes up and watching them fall – if you do not play your part right. Namely, to fit in well in the system, you mostly feel compelled to trade your true self for financial stability granted by the fortunate. Slowly, you lose touch with reality when you get comfortable, not actually by choice, but by your survival instincts.

To put it another way, a (biased) justice system, (prejudiced) legal system as well as (rigid) educational system were founded in the name of “preserving democracy”. In retrospect, ordinary people should have partaken in such a victorious and significant milestone of human history, shouldn’t they? Essentially, rule makers or authority figures talk about rather than talk to rule followers. As a result, for generations, many are indoctrinated to believe that obtaining higher education will open doors to higher-paying roles. Success is; therefore, commonly defined by asset accumulation. What’s worse, on many occasions, children begin labelling or classifying others and putting a price tag on practically everything because of family influence and impacts of mainstream cultures through various channels. In simple terms, the (patriarchal and hierarchical) system allows the marjory to get comfortable with losing touch with reality to keep everyone under control.

who can be out of touch in real life?

the history reaction

In summary, to maintain “fairness and stability”, rule makers, after the Second World War (WW II), in many democratic nations, opt for peaceful elections. After all, post-conflict reconstruction may take years for a country to show the first signs of recovery, and it can only truly succeed if the local population takes the initiative (Government of the Netherlands, n.d.). Due to this major power shift, “what led to a riot” is superseded by “freedom of peaceful assembly”; “right to (free access to) education” becomes a fundamental civil right. But why intergenerational conflict persists if everything’s been in order? A 2024 Turkish study found that, through a semi-structured interview form, out of the 19 participants, Baby Boomers and Generation X exhibited similar perspectives, whereas Millennials presented distinctive opinions. Namely, social change widens generation gaps. Losing touch with reality is merely the stress response.

the cause and effect

From a macro perspective, fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar can have a major impact on the global economy because many countries hold U.S. dollars as a form of reserve asset (Austen Morris Associates, n.d.). Now, from a mezzo perspective, the local economy is intertwined with personal finance. While financial literacy and personal financial strategy are indirectly related to a person’s happiness, they dictate options. A person’s (or the family’s) net worth, for this reason, becomes relevant to this topic. In consequence, losing touch with reality is, technically, a personal choice in this context.

To simplify this complex concept, take a 2022 U.S. study for example. Pew Research Center found that the typical (median) U.S. household of a Baby Boomer, between 58 and 76 years of age, had a net worth of $432,200. As the U.S. economy shapes and drives global economic growth and development, the result is an indication that whoever is loaded with fortunates through generational wealth or given a financial safety net and/or power (e.g., securing a highly regarded job title through privileged backgrounds) can be out of touch with reality. That is, individuals, such as professionals, policy makers, parents/legal guardians and teachers can lose touch completely at any time.

identify if your family of origin is out of touch with reality – 3 Examples

When fear (the stress response) dictates a person’s belief system long enough, getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is just a matter of time. If your family of origin – regardless of their socioeconomic status – genuinely believed the younger generation had it easy, they may have lost touch with reality for quite some time.

they are sold on the idea of “hard work always pays off”

The Greatest Generation and Silent Generation battled for their lives, yet many of whom paved the way for future generations. Baby Boomers and Generation X, on the other hand, were sold on “hard work pays off”. The notion of “the American Dream” derives from the belief that anyone, regardless of origin or socioeconomic status, can be (traditionally defined) successful in a society where upward mobility is possible for all (The Investopedia Team, 2026).

Therefore, “hard work always pays off” might be true for generations preceding Generation Y because they became adults at a time when massive social movements and economic booms occurred in spite of a few global downturns. Currently, because of exponential inflation, eroding purchasing power and affecting standards of living, “hard work doesn’t always pay off”. To visualize it, what cost C$100,000 in 1970 would cost C$827,586.21 in April 2026, based on the Inflation Calculator by the Bank of Canada. A whopping 727.59% increase in just 56 years. Furthermore, Simmons (2019) shared that throughout their teaching career, they witnessed that when students fell short of what they imagined they should accomplish, they were consumed by self-blame owing to being sold on “hard work always pays off”. So, if you have ever been misconstrued as “part of the strawberry generation” when you are crying out for help, it’s not you, it’s them.

They do not acknowledge that the laws are in favour of earlier Generations

Your family of origin may lose sight of reality if they believe laws are “not in their favour” for not being a billionaire. Did you know the rise of the middle class is inextricably bound to the entitlement of homeownership? Published by the American Women’s College, HIS115 – US History Since 1870 Chapter 28 indicated that the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (the G.I. Bill), passed in 1944, made homeownership more accessible to US citizens and allowed accrued equity and wealth through real estate.

Another example is that the definition of principal residence has changed over time in Canada. Take the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) for example. Homeowners do not pay capital gains tax on their principal residences. To be more specific, the Government of Canada (2026) defines that for the year 1982 and later years, an individual can designate only one home as their family’s principal residence for each year, whereas before 1982, “more than one” housing unit per family can be designated as a principal residence. To wit, the laws are in favour of those who acquired their real estate before 1982. Simply because they are exempt from the “capital gains tax”, which is 50% of any capital gains. In conclusion, if your family of origin believes “you have an easy life” (i.e., shelter and food are provided), they may underestimate the lasting effect of archaic property laws.

Perhaps, many of them were influenced to lose touch with reality, but it is a conscious choice, after all. Is your family of origin a friend or foe? Have they been actively looking out for you, or putting you down?

They see “a succession plan” as a way to maintain a cushy lifestyle

Have you been in a situation where, right after the death of “an influential person” in your family, aunties, uncles, siblings, or cousins who you had never met, didn’t contribute much to a family business, or had never helped out during family emergencies, showed up for the will reading or the like? Oftentimes, they claim their rights and entitlements to assets that they had never been a part of not just because they lose sight of reality but because it is the only way (for them) to maintain a cushy lifestyle.

hard work doesn’t always pay off, despite being a Billionaire’s son

Stumbled across a video by MilesAhead the other day, in which they mentioned that one of the three Taiwanese airlines was established due to a family feud. It was not some manipulative marketing tactic launched by some billionaire’s family, but rather a story of “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten. This long-standing legal battle originated from a family dispute initiated by the eldest son of a deceased Taiwanese billionaire, an out-of-touch figure, who has no interest in the aviation industry. From my perspective, the feud is at the expense of the company’s overall reputation and credibility, directly affecting the livelihoods of its 11,659 employees.

In 2016, The Straits Times reported that with Chang Kuo-Wei (K.W. Chang) at the helm, EVA Airways rose to become a major player in the growing trans-Pacific market. Moreover, it joined the Star Alliance group, the world’s largest airline alliance, in 2013. Unfortunately, K.W. Chang’s hard work didn’t pay off. Despite being named as successor to the Evergreen Group chairmanship in a will, he was ousted due to a smaller 14.37% stake by his elder brothers. In November 2016, K.W. Chang announced plans to establish STARLUX Airlines. Surprisingly, even if the company went through a sudden power shift, the board of directors consists of long-serving employees other than those who “fought for their rights to the company”.

wave goodbye to a cushy lifestyle

Starlux Airlines, founded in 2018, by K.W. Chang, who landed (as a pilot) the first Airbus A350-1000 aircraft in Taiwan on January 6, 2026, reported by Aerotime. Instead of becoming resentful, K.W. Chang recognized their advantages and utilized resources as well as connections established over the years to compete with EVA Airways, a world’s renowned airline. Their hard work paid off when the company ranked in 18th place (34th place in 2024) in 2025, on the world’s top 100 airlines list issued by Skytrax, while EVA Airways fell out of the top 10 list in 2025. Their success story is frankly quite intriguing and thought-provoking. Perhaps laws can be in favour of earlier generations, depending on the context, but having a true passion in life opens the door.

what you can do if your family of origin chooses to overlook brutal Realities of future generations

Although some families may be aware of harsh realities, many perpetuate the illusion – as a result of indoctrination – that hard work guarantees success, reflecting a broader issue of losing touch with reality. All things considered, if your family of origin chooses to ignore harsh truths while watching you and future generations grapple with systemic failures, it is not your responsibility to educate them. Like the Navajo proverb goes, “you can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep”. Leave them be. The world needs someone like you, who is willing to unlearn what you know and stand up for justice. Here’s a list of action plans that can help you build a holistic lifestyle:

• Become financially independent from your family of origin
• Set healthy and culturally sensitive boundaries
• Improve your human skills, including but not limited to media and financial literacy and communication skills
• Be mindful of your eating and spending habits
• Create your own routine(s) that help you stay focused on your goals
• Understand that every study/research has its limitations, and data is almost always curated by relevant stakeholders
• Beware of propaganda, identify disinformation and recognize indoctrination, and unlearn what you know

references

TED. (2024, May 2). How the US Is Destroying Young People’s Future | Scott Galloway | TED [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEJ4hkpQW8E

The Acton Institute. (n.d.). Lord Acton Quote Archive. https://www.acton.org/research/lord-acton-quote-archive

Government of the Netherlands. (n.d.). Post-conflict reconstruction. https://www.government.nl/themes/international-cooperation/international-peace-and-security/post-conflict-reconstruction

Dere, B., & Başıbüyük, H. H. (2025). Traversing intergenerational conflict: a phenomenological exploration across three generations grounded in solidarity. Educational Gerontology, 51(5), 563–577. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2024.2402852

Austen Morris Associates. (n.d.). The Global Impact of the US Economy: Understanding Why Changes in the US Economy Send Shockwaves Around the World. https://austenmorris.com/the-global-impact-of-the-us-economy-understanding-why-changes-in-the-us-economy-send-shockwaves-around-the-world/

Fry, R. (2026, February 11). Are Baby Boomers wealthier than previous generations of older adults? Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/02/11/are-baby-boomers-wealthier-than-previous-generations-of-older-adults/

The Investopedia Team. (2026, May 04). American Dream: The History, Evolution, and Definition. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/american-dream.asp

Bank of Canada. (2026, April). Inflation Calculator. https://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/related/inflation-calculator/

Simmons, R. (2019, May 23). We Tell Our Kids That Hard Work Always Pays Off. What Happens When They Fail Anyway? Time. https://time.com/5593706/hard-work-achievement-mindset/

The American Women’s College. (n.d.). HIS115 – US History Since 1870 Chapter 28. https://open.baypath.edu/his115/chapter/the-rise-of-the-middle-class/

Government of Canada. (2026, February 5). Principal residence. https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/personal-income/line-12700-capital-gains/principal-residence-other-real-estate.html

MilesAhead. (2026, May 17). Taiwan’s Three Long-Haul Airlines Shouldn’t Exist. Here’s Why They Do [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewLNDSfVBo0

Globaldata. (2026, May 24). EVA Airways Corp: Overview. https://www.globaldata.com/company-profile/eva-airways-corp/

The Straits Times. (2016, March 18). Investors fret after chief of Taiwan’s Eva Airways ousted in family feud. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/investors-fret-after-chief-of-taiwans-eva-airways-ousted-in-family-feud

Starlux Airlines. (2025). Our History. https://www.starlux-airlines.com/en-US/about-us/knowing-us/our-history

Molyneaux, I. (2026, January 6). STARLUX founder lands carrier’s first of 18 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft in Taiwan. Aerotime. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/starlux-first-airbus-a350-1000-in-taiwan

Skytrax. (2025). World’s Top 100 Airlines 2025. https://www.worldairlineawards.com/worlds-top-100-airlines-2025/