From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

Are American kids spoiled, rotten?

Hello again, I'm Aran Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues, Americans care about most.

Too many toys, too few chores, and mothers and fathers who doubt their own authority.

Is parental hysteria producing a nation of wimps? Why are so many college graduates going back home instead of venturing into the job market and building their own families? Is it time to give up

helicopter parenting and live kids alone so they can learn to

fend for themselves? Or is the millennial generation facing a historic transformation in what it

takes to become a successful adult and maintain roots in the middle class? On the Porter's

notebook later on, where American Christmas lights go to die. First, here's the news.

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Support for To the Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio

International Program Fund. Hello again, Mormon Alney, back with To the Point. The latest fate

of parenting books reflects what one writer calls the nagging sense we haven't raised our children

to be competent. Is it the generation gap all over again? Or legitimate concern about the

harsh realities of the current economy? On reporters' notebook, why are America's discarded Christmas

lights recycled in China? First, this news update. ObamaCare, also known as the Affordable

Care Act, survived Congress, survived the U.S. Supreme Court, survived the November

election.

Can it survive the obstructive tactics of 30 Republican governors?

...