Born to Uber

My daughter is obsessed with getting her driver’s permit. I chalk it up to her wanting to avoid our father-daughter drives when I offer Walzian words of wisdom over the sportstalk radio channel I never let her change. It couldn’t be the desire for freedom and independence that drove my generation to want to get our licenses. Today’s kids have plenty of apps and options when they wanna get away. “This changed view on driving for teens and 20-somethings is manifesting itself in everything from a decline in car purchases to fewer road trips with friends. They say they’re often comfortable relying on public transportation, walking or having a family member give them a lift—and saving money along the way. The percentage of 19-year-olds with a driver’s license dropped steadily from 87.3% in 1983 to 68.7% in 2022, according to most recent data from the Federal Highway Administration.” WSJ (Gift Article): Fewer Teens Want to Drive. It’s Changing How They Spend. (When she finally gets her license, it’s going to come as quite the shock to my daughter as she drives off toward her freedom and independence only to look over and see me in the passenger seat.)