Why does it take 2 paychecks to make ends meet in America today?

Question

I saw something like this on Lou Dobbs weeks ago, and unfortunately I missed it. Myself being 21, no job, currently going to college to be a Doctor so I don't HAVE to worry about my question, why do so many families and couples, AND those single, with our without a kid(s), have such a hard time making a decent living?

Answer 1

We used to have a lot of good paying jobs. The unions got busted,some through their own fault and some through political games, like Reagan and PATCO. The quarterly stockholders report is now much more important to corporations than long term planning for success. We are all paying for it. Most of us work at least two jobs per household, sometimes more; quality time with the kids lead to problems for them in school, society. Marriage dissolve in part because of the added financial stress of not making ends meet. Our kids are thus being raised by the drug dealer or gang leader down the street. It's an entire domino effect. As long as the rich get their tax cuts and we spend a billion dollars a day in EEraq, all apparently is well in Amerika. We are happy guessing who's next off American idol and what britney is up to and anna nicole death to draw the lines from dot to dot and get the big picture....

Answer 2

Actually, I think it's pretty simple.

What constitutes a "decent living" has undergone a MAJOR overhaul.

In the 1950s, you were considered to be making a decent living if you could afford a small house, a radio, one car, and keep everyone reasonably well clothed and fed. It was a LUXURY to have a TV, a second car was unheard of, no one expected to eat steak every day, going to a restaurant was pure decadence, lucky kids had a bike (and they probably had to work to get it.) Most people's family vacation was a camping trip to a state park, or going to visit relatives. And if you were working in what was a considered to be a good, stable job, you had an expectation (and not an unreasonable one) that you'd have a corporate pension to rely on in your retirement.

Now, compare that your definition of a "decent living." For most people these days, that includes multiple cars, large homes, not only multiple TVs but probably HDTVs and/or flat panels with all the bells and whistles, extensive (and expensive) technogadgets of every kind, eating out on a weekly (if not daily) basis, fancy camps for kids (space camp, computer camp, etc.), boats/ATVs/motorcycles, Carribean cruise vacations, and that's not even to address the almost complete absence of pensions in terms of planning for the future.

It's really not difficult to see how all of that can be downright impossible to afford. And yet we insist on having all these things, like it's a birthright.

Answer 3

Depends on who is doing what. if you're a doctor of course your not going to need the second income. But if you don't have a college degree(and sometimes when you do) the wages don't make up for the hikes in housing cost. I live in the Bay Area, when the median cost for a house is around 500,000. and to rent it's at least 1,000 a month, with a family that is pretty hard. Let alone all the other bills. I'm not trying to get a boat or motorcycle. I'm just trying to live!!

Answer 4

I don't have statistics to back this statement up but I think it has to do with the widening gap between the rich and the poor. I feel like the luxury market has been pushing up prices for the working class.

Also based on my own experience I would say that the persistence of sexism in our society is definately a contributing factor. Until we as a society either conclude that one parent should stay home and raise the children or buck up for some form of decent socialist day care, there will be a subclass of working two parent families that are barely making it in order to "create a better life" for their children.

Answer 5

Most people are financially illiterate. They go to school after school after school and still NEVER learn about money. Wanna make more money, get another degree...degrees put you in a position to earn a higher salary but you still don't know how to deal with money to really secure your future...no wonder 95% of people are struggling financially.
Higher salaries means your banker will tell you to get a bigger house because it's tax deductable...that's only up to a certain age and it makes the bank very rich in the process. Financial intelligence is lacking in most people. School is supposed to prepare you for life but it doesn't...It only prepares you to work under someone else and expect some sort of pension at the end of your working years...Have you heard what's gonna happen in another few years with the baby boomers?
I rest my case.
By the way I'm not against school. I love and encourage schooling wherever NECESSARY for the individual. I DO have a problem however with school only.

Answer 6

Well, I don't have this problem luckily...my husband works and I stay home for our kids but...I would say that minimum wage won't be raised b/c of the small business owner (fear of putting them out of business) and prices still escalate...what is a person supposed to do to keep up with the average Joe!? Have mercy!

Answer 7

low pay forces both husband and wife.high inflation,if a man can work at 25.00 a hour then the wife can stay at home and take care of the kids.today man makes 12.50 and the wife makes 12.50 =25.00.do you see whats wrong know.and the kids learn from the government.

Answer 8

GREED has taken over NEED and therefore more jobs and more stress....STILL Greed is Growing every minute.

Why people want to own, which they can take on lease.

Why many people have 2 houses when one is enough.

LETS not spoil ourselves and be happy.

Answer 9

buy and read "The Creature From Jekyll Island" a second look at the Federal Reserve. it will answer all of you or questions as well as free you from the suppression they provide.

Answer 10

you dont usually (depending on how big of family) need 2 jobs. People just want too many things like boats, etc.