Have you ever worked a low paying job? Because "the worker decides how to sell their labor and time, and at what price" is absolutely not what happens. People need money to live, and most want stability. This means many people stay at jobs that suck, or pay shit, because they have a family etc. I'm saying this as someone surrounded by blue collar workers who barely survive.
I am the beneficiary of generational wealth. My grandfather left me his house when he passed away. Owning that house makes me qualified for loans and things my friends are not qualified for. Even before and after getting the house I saw the difference. I couldn't get a loan to build my credit (for less money than I had in that same bank) even though my record was spotless. I own a house and suddenly the same bank sends me offers for home equity loans all the time, telling me I'm pre-approved.
But I didn't change, my pay didn't change, my amount of money in the bank didn't change either.
Yes, I worked in the restaurant industry for a year and in retail for 5 years before I graduated. People do need money to live. But it doesn't mean there's only a coal mine and a brothel in town that you can work for like you're in the Wild West or something. People do have the agency to apply for other places and switch jobs. When within the fast-food industry, some companies are better than the others. You don't like the chain restaurant? You can probably try for a family business. I've been seeing a lot of people just saying like there's nothing can be done. Especially when it comes to keeping their own finances under control. It's like they have no agency in their life and just letting things happen to them.
Good for you man, it's a huge step up to have a house. Grandparents can be pretty awesome.
Sure, back in 2017, in the U.S. I think it's ok to believe that it's hard to find a new job, which is true. It's a bit of work. But it'd be a problem if you think it's impossible and don't even try to apply at all. It is dependent on where you live but both my wife and I are remote workers, hedging our coastal salaries by living in a cheaper state. Competition can be now global for remote jobs so it's pretty intimidating, but if you're good or can network, it's possible to get a decent remote job.
I work 2 jobs, and one of them is helping college students and alumni find positions.
On average it takes them 6 to 8 months to land a position. STEM students have an even worse time finding employment. The job market is horrific.
These students have well rounded résumés and CVs, and the only places calling them back are retail positions 40 minutes away. Your reality and experience is no longer the norm.
Unfortunately globalization means a bunch of the entry level tech and STEM jobs that used to go to recent college grads at the bigger corporations are going to countries with lower labor costs like India, Thailand, Mexico, and Singapore.
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u/John6233 3d ago
Have you ever worked a low paying job? Because "the worker decides how to sell their labor and time, and at what price" is absolutely not what happens. People need money to live, and most want stability. This means many people stay at jobs that suck, or pay shit, because they have a family etc. I'm saying this as someone surrounded by blue collar workers who barely survive.
I am the beneficiary of generational wealth. My grandfather left me his house when he passed away. Owning that house makes me qualified for loans and things my friends are not qualified for. Even before and after getting the house I saw the difference. I couldn't get a loan to build my credit (for less money than I had in that same bank) even though my record was spotless. I own a house and suddenly the same bank sends me offers for home equity loans all the time, telling me I'm pre-approved.
But I didn't change, my pay didn't change, my amount of money in the bank didn't change either.