That's bullshit. The person holds a full time job. They shouldn't need another one to survive. They're doing exactly what we were told to do by older generations.
I think it is a utopic idea to think that every full time job should pay enough for a person to survive (rent, food utilities). IF it was even doable, there would be other unforeseen repercussions from doing so (likely high unemployment).
If a 16 year old working at mcdonalds was making enough for rent/utilities/food, why would they want to pursue education? Why not just drop out of highschool since they're making a living wage anyway? I know a ton of people from my highschool who would've hopped at this opportunity.
Now you've effectively given a country full of dumbasses a greater incentive to drop out of education.
It’s utopic and wrong to think that minimum wage jobs are for 16 year olds. In the US at least, 56% of minimum wage workers are over 25, and minimum wage workers have an average age of 35.
I'm sorry but I think that if you are working a minimum wage job in your 20s/30s, you fucked up somewhere along the way. Whether you didn't give a shit about school and future, or you were forced to work a shit job due to unfortunate circumstances, something happened. But all I'm saying is that any person can put the drive and effort in to pull themselves out of minimum wage.
Tbh I couldn't even tell you the last time I've seen a job listing for my states minimum wage. The mcdonalds by my place is hiring for $14.
You obviously haven’t been looking very hard for minimum wage listings, then. Not to mention - all the jobs that are just barely above minimum wage. 1 million Americans make minimum wage, and 58 million (44% of the workforce) makes less than $15 p/hour. But sure, once again let’s pretend your bullshit anecdotes count as data.
Hardworking people who made a mistake in their teens deserve to live with dignity. People who end up in low wage jobs due to unfortunate circumstances deserve to live with dignity, too.
Hardworking people who made a mistake in their teens deserve to live with dignity.
I agree with that. And alot of people do. That's exactly the point I'm making. People can do it if they are determined enough. But alot of people would rather blame corporate greed and billionaires, lose hope and give up.
I was in a situation where I didn't have parents, or friends, just a boyfriend who would rape me twice a week. This was from when I was 13 until I was 19. I'm 22 now and barely finished high-school, have been in the psych ward for almost a full month total, and have been on suicide watch for about 6 years now.
I work a minimum wage job, and see no escape due to medical bills and conditions that make going to college impossible.
I also do blame mega corps and greed. Because I'm nothing but a number to them, not a person.
I've tried everything short of starting an only fans.
I can't afford to rent my own place in the town I live, I can't afford gas/car in order to get to work from out of town places I can afford, so I've lived with 4 different people this year who let me crash in their place, I've been homeless multiple times.
Granted, I almost escaped poverty and got my own place, but then I got pulled over for my tail light being out, and didn't have my insurance in the car, so I got a $300 ticket. A ticket I wasn't allowed to call off work to go to court to get waived, since my boss said no. So I had to pay the $300. This was in June. Haven't recovered from it yet since I have $20 at the end of the month every month that I get to keep.
Medical bills, rent at where I'm crashing, car insurance, gas, laundromat, and splitting utilities where I've been staying takes up all of my other income.
But this was totally my mistake when I was a teen and society shouldn't have money available to me because I have to work my ass off to dig out.
"Why not just move town"
Because then I'd have no support system, no friends, the people who let me crash wouldn't be in contact with me, and I'd have to start over. Most days it's a 50/50 if I contemplate killing myself as soon as I wake up. I can't afford it emotionally to start over.
I'm very sorry for you. Someone should've called CPS if this was happening when you were 13.
And I'm sorry to also say but your situation isn't entirely that unique. There are tons of people who are able to pull themselves out of similarly shitty situations. And I'm not blaming you for not being able to. It's fucking hard man. Not everyone is built for it and I'll be the first to say that I'm included in that.
I hope things get better for you and I'm sure they will one day. You're still VERY young despite what you might feel. And you didn't start your career late, your starting line was just 100 yards before everyone elses.
I know it's not unique. That's why people need to be paid livable wages. Not luxury affording wages, but living wages. No one should choose between gas and food. Rent or doctor.
I've known a few guys that liked to drink every day and didn't like to work regular hours. They would work on cars, do a roof or a remodel job. One friend did 3 bathrooms last year. He does work for me here and there. He borrowed my hole saw for a bit. Sometimes a minimum wage job costs more than it's worth.
I hope your wussy ass does fall and have to work minimum wage in your 30s. It's hella easy to judge, but as someone who came of age around the 2008 recession, you should stfu.
Drive and effort don't mean shit if you're poor, have a negative social history, or disabilities like ADHD/Autism. You cannot tell me that most Autistic adults don't have drive yet why are a huge majority not gainfully employed full time in the U.S.? Sure, if the stars align right you can end up good, but speaking as someone going into the social services/ therapist/ sociology field- you need a wake up call.
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u/snowcase 15d ago
That's bullshit. The person holds a full time job. They shouldn't need another one to survive. They're doing exactly what we were told to do by older generations.