That said, it's hard not to see such complaints as a combination of entitlement and cluelessness. As a Boomer, I never would have considered taking on college debt without a pretty clear analysis showing breakeven in a reasonable period. The idea of getting an arts degree crossed my mind, and I dismissed it as ridiculous within a couple of months.
Most of my friends went straight into the military, the trades, or general employment. State college was for maybe the top 20%, and I'm not sure I even knew anyone that went to a name school.
Work? Full time every summer starting at 16, and half time while school was in session. Housing? Live at home, or maybe the cheapest dorm. Car? Find a friend and give them gas money. Phone? Picture an Obama phone that's nailed to the kitchen wall and shared with three other people.
By today's standards, Boomers were not well off. Even so, most of what I've earned has already been transferred to the following generation.