After lurking around this sub for a while I wanted to pop by an tell a story. While things are getting worse here in Europe do to increasing cost of living do to climate change and war in Ukraine, I think we still have it easy compared to you Americans. Perhaps I will be the the of touch boomer in the 2060's.
I am complitelly regular guy living in the northern Europe. I was born in late 90's to a regular family. Not rich, not poor. Maybe lower middle class. Parents with office jobs, House in a suburbs, dog and a wagon.
I went to a pubic school (as pretty much all schools here are). For the first 9 years were complitelly free. Books, education, food everything. After that I went to local equalevent to college. Teaching and lunch was free. At that level one had to buy own books, but thanks to large market of used books that was few huderes per semester. Not exactly cheap, but affordable. That lasted for 3 years. After graduating I went to uni. First 3 years to get Batchelor degree and 2,5 years for masters. Again, no tuition fees, and material was mostly available for free. In addition government supported studying financially. I got about 500e/month for rent and food. Sure I was not much, but enough to survive if living frugally.
I did not had to work while studying. Summer breaks I spent working since I was 15. But most jobs have been related to my own field of study, so I have not worked in those “minimin wage” jobs.
So now I am 25. Starting my PhD. studies. Again, studies are free. Government doe not give support at this level, but I got a position at a research group, which means steady income of about 2k euros/month. I have no debt and even some savings from those summer jobs.
How much support have I got from my family? Some, but not ” a small loan of 1 miljon dollars” kind of support. More like food when wisiting and pair of jeans every once and a while.
Sure, I will pay a lot more taxes in future than people in states and my salary will be smaller. I propably won't earn 100k/year even with PhD. But instead I will have good social security. I propably will afford own house. I will have free time.
I am sorry for all you Americans. I hope can turn you country around.