Shouldn't we be blaming corporate America more for the breakdown of families and relationships?

Question

I see some folks blaming hardcore feminism and lots of other things, but rarely is the increased greediness of large employers since the 70s mentioned as a major cause. I know some (not me) blame feminism in part for how corporate America does things, but it's only part.
The stress, the unpaid overtime, the lack of benefits, the lack of job security, the commutes, the soul-sucking environments that really don't allow for a lack of sleep from a newborn baby. Shouldn't this be kept in mind when thinking about the causes of the breakdown of the family and strain on romantic relationships?

Answer 1

One can hardly blame business for society's breakdown.
As women demand to be "independent" (while still relying on daddy or husband's money), by having their own jobs in defiance to family needs, business use the glut of workers to pit employee against employee. Even affirmative action regulating that undeserving, untrained and unqualified women are hired does little to help when all wages and benefits are being suppressed because of this overabundance of applicants. That is simply using business sense.

The breakdown of society can be solidly placed on the government intrusion into the family with things like making it profitable as well as socially acceptable to divorce which leads to children being raised in a less than optimal atmosphere, turning out ill-adapted, untrained or immoral individuals who then feed the need of institutional settings such as prisons and women's (only) shelters whose continued exponential growth is a direct result of an artificially engineered society.

The government intrusion into the home can be placed on feminism that demanded men be categorized as abusers and rapists without evidence, the issuance of temporary restraining orders against men and fathers without cause, the anti-male courtroom bias that insures that very few fathers can remain an equal and effective parent, divorce without grounds resulting in women gaining much more than men in those situations and many other pro-woman/anti-male situations, laws (such as VAWA, affirmative action in hiring and education, etc.), rules and regulations.

Blaming corporate America for the downfall of society is like blaming a funeral director for the death of a loved one. In neither case did they didn't cause it, they simply cash in on the result of other circumstances.

In all, people make their own decisions. A new mother who wants to work can hardly be blame her employer for the choices the she made to 1) engage in sex which created a pregnancy that resulted in her unilateral choice 2) to allow the birth of the baby. Whose fault is it when there is a job with certain requirements that cannot be met because of the choices of the individual that applied for the job, assuring they were ready, willing and able to do the job in the first place?

Demanding employers change is like paying for a Ford inside the dealership and demanding a Rolls Royce on delivery.

Keep in mind that the "free" services such as floating days off, on-site child care for workers, increased health care, maternal leave and other benefits cost and they cost a lot. Someone, somewhere has to pay. Either with greatly increased cost for products and services or heavy taxation, which in turn lead to more demands by employees.

Answer 2

I totally agree that the blame needs to be elsewhere other than feminism. Obviously, in this day and age, a two income family is the norm because of necessity in most cases, and not just because of material wants such as a bigger house, fancy cars, etc.
At least that is the way it is with most of the people I know. It is very rare for women to be stay at home moms because they can. Most women still go back to work because their income is needed. Adding on the cost of child care only is a burden. Corporate America pitching in with daycare helps, but smaller businesses don't offer that option.
The United States is the hardest working nation in the world when it comes to average annual hours worked per person. That's according to statistics from the UN and quoted in a report by research and consulting firm ISR. The report predicts that US workers will extend that lead as baby boomers enter retirement and the growth of the nation's workforce slows. Over 75% of men and women work 40 hours per week or more. So what time does that leave for a family life?
In comparison, in Europe, most everyone's workday ends before 4 pm so that they can go home and have a nice evening with their families. What do US families do? Schlepp children from one activity to the next and eat fast food while they are on the run because they are under the false impression that these "activities" are going to get their children into "good" colleges so that they can get "good" jobs and perpetuate the American Rat Race.

Answer 3

We all dropped the ball here, that is why the economy is in such bad shape. The government over regulates, the corporations are too greedy and the Dem's want them both to pay for every give away program that comes down the pipe. When gas was at $5.00 a gallon, I know an employee of one of the big oil companies who got a $100k bonus, not in management just an employee. Now if they were able to screw us over in then pass out their extreme profits and no one will question them, then we need to fix the system. I think the government should take over oil production and if not that at least charge them for the wars we have to fight to protect their interest around the world.

Answer 4

Nothing is ever simple enough to blame one factor. I would blame first the media, which has created desire for things that makes a double income necessary. If families were willing to do with less things, they would be able to get by on one income. Corporate America has for a long time demanded a loyalty from workers which can hinder family life, but the individual worker always has the choice to change companies or refuse overtime, possibly risking loss of job or income. The higher mobility in today's society has also broken down community attachment and support structures. All of these things contribute, but the main culprit is the individual choice to either live for their family relationship or to dedicate themselves to acquiring possessions and believing that these possessions are necessary to a good life.

Answer 5

I don't think we can lay it on any one thing. I think it's a lot of things.

However, I'm an optimist....I live in an area where there are over 250 single family homes....there are 2 parents in each of these homes....and the families "seem" to be going OK.

Most of us have lived here for over 10 years and we all "seem" to be thriving.

So families and relationships are not a thing of the past.....it depends where you're looking.

Answer 6

No we should not blame corporate America for the things we have done to ourselves and that includes feminists, cause if corporate America is doing something to all of us you can bet feminists are included. Truthfully we have ourselves to blame for not doing our homework; remember the old saying: becareful what you ask for, you may get it.

Answer 7

One day the big corporations got together and they said, "What can we do today?"

The little big corporation said, "Let's get rid of Daddy!"

The other big corporation said, "I know how!"

Yeah sure! You must be smoking something.

Answer 8

it is nice that someone on here who is not a feminist recognizes this. it gives me hope for some actual discussion on this site.

Answer 9

women join the workforce so they keep wages down , more workers less pay

Answer 10

Very perceptive of you.

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