I'm an early baby-boomer and I don't feel guilty at all. We worked hard -I started my nursing course at 18 years old and except for a few years in the US where I wasn't allowed to work, have worked ever since. At 68 I'm still working part time and there are a few of us where I work who, like me, retired from their 'proper job' and took on part time work for various reasons. I have never claimed for any benefit other then single parent benefit when I was first divorced. I didn't go to the council to be re-housed, but took on a mortgage and fought to pay it off. When I first got married and had my first home it was furnished with hand-me-downs, even my twin tub washer and fridge were hand-me downs. New stuff were the bits of crockery, sheets, towels etc that we had as wedding presents. The only debt we had was our mortgage, we didn't even buy on the never-never , if we couldn't afford it we didn't buy it. Same when I had my first child, hand-me-down baby furniture including a cot, a Silver Cross pram for £5, etc. We had gifts of course so changing mat, bath and baby clothes were new, we bought terry towelling nappies and plastic pants [remember those, they were horrible]. When my son was 8 months old the Maclaren buggy came in - we bought one from Fenwicks in Brent Cross for £11. I loved it as I could hop off and on buses with ease.
Both my children have been well educated, worked weekends etc when at school, college and uni and have worked ever since. [my son works from home as he is a stay-at-home papa] so has 2 jobs. My son and his wife are great e-bay buyers and have bought a lot of baby equipment toys etc that way. We have no benefit culture in our houses.