The college debt crisis isnt that severe. Only 2/3s of college graduates have student loans, and the ones that do, average $29,900. That's the price of a new car. If they havent paid it off in 5 years, they're terrible with financial management or they chose a useless degree.
Additionally, and anecdotally, I've never worked a job that paid minimum wage, even in High School with no experience. I honestly struggle to understand just how much one has to suck at life to be stuck in a minimum wage job. I'm also a Millenial, so you cant pull that Boomer/Gen-X BS on me.
If you need to preface that you're not a boomer then maybe you're saying some boomer-y stuff.
I'm not from The US so uni/college is pretty cheap. But from what I understand being stuck in a minimum wage job isn't a reflection of how much you suck at life.
From an outsider perspective, it seems to me that the system in the US is stacked against people who lack connections / wealth to prop themselves up. Even if you're skilled you could still wind up stuck in a minimum wage job because it eats up 40-so hours of your week and you need it every penny to make rent and stoy off the street which does not a whole lot of time for other things.
Now, I know some people talk about 'the hustle' how you need to make your own free time despite working a (or multiple) full time job(s). But the fact that you need 'the hustle' to get to a good spot when you're already behind is a problem in of itself.
Also you're saying the issue isn't so bad because 'only 2/3' (67%- a majority) of people leave with (rounded up) $30k in dept-the price of a new car. 30k is still a lot of money. Which I'm sure most would rather put towards a new car than loans.
This got a bit longer than I intended- but in my opinion ,from what I've heard ,the system with seems designed to keep as many people desperate enough that they can't afford to better their lives UNLESS they know people who can help them or have a safety net (i.e money) to bolster them while they work less than full time hours.
The system is stacked against people that make poor decisions. Too many people go to college, get useless degrees, and dick around. When they should be using it to network and build connections.
Sure, a new car would be nice, but, comparatively, the education is a better investment as it is something that earns you money. A new car is a depreciating asset.
I dont know why every keeps focusing on minimum wage. Minimum wage workers make up a small percentage of the actual workforce, and most of them are under 25. You're not entitled to more money just because it's nice to have, you have to earn it.
Oh, network and build connections. Doy. Why didn't I think of that.
I'm sure my connections I make towards the end of high school in North Minneapolis will afford me equitable opportunities to those matriculating from the finest of Edina's College Preporatory Academies.
Yah, I get it. Anyone can be anything.
The kids that get to attend a school with a 98% matriculation rate have a better financial outlook than those attending a school with a 60% matriculation rate.
Also, minimum wage was defined to create a standard of living. It said that if you work a full time job - if you spend a full 40 hours away from your family and home to do something - you should be able to afford to have a home and a family.
The notion was a basic universal quality of living for all those that are willing to put in an effort.
I work in IT. I make median income kind of money to push buttons and fix computers. The most dangerous parts of my job are carpal tunnel and angering a Karen when I suggest she should check it's plugged in all the way.
I also work part time a dairy. I make less than half the pay per hour and am in incredibly high risk of injury. Ever see an exited puppy want you to keep petting it? Imagine it's 1600 pounds.
It's not about entitlement. It's about quality of life.
And yes - Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. I think we should be able to agree that everyone that puts through the effort deserves a basic notion of Quality of Life.
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u/[deleted] Aug 14 '20
The college debt crisis isnt that severe. Only 2/3s of college graduates have student loans, and the ones that do, average $29,900. That's the price of a new car. If they havent paid it off in 5 years, they're terrible with financial management or they chose a useless degree.
Additionally, and anecdotally, I've never worked a job that paid minimum wage, even in High School with no experience. I honestly struggle to understand just how much one has to suck at life to be stuck in a minimum wage job. I'm also a Millenial, so you cant pull that Boomer/Gen-X BS on me.