I have read the entire book published by the author of this chapter. I found it very interesting. While reading this chapter I was not surprised with what I read. The author not having enough financially with only one minimum wage job. The very last comment she made was the observation of camaraderie and support between the people who work these types of jobs. This made me think of the two social classes that Karl Marx described – the owners and the laborers. The laborers, in this case the minimum-wage workers, gravitate towards each other in communities.
2. The only time I’ve held a job like the ones described this chapter, is during the summers during my college career. During this time I worked full-time in the fast-food industry. The only way I could mentally keep sane, was knowing I was returning to school in the fall. I felt like I could never hold down this kind of job without having a goal of a bachelor’s degree. Getting up day in and day out to work at a job for a wage that would barely support just myself, I could never do long term. I admire the author for being able to commit to what she did for the time she did, for going through the struggles she did and learning what she did. Working for a low wage was definitely motivation for me to finish my degree!
3. A livable minimum-wage would definitely depend on where a person lives. Different parts of the country cost different amounts on a monthly basis. So determining a minimum wage would be difficult. I do think, though, that society should be encouraged more to live in a more cooperatively way. Meaning, family generations should live together if possible, sharing in the upbringing of children, sharing the costs of living, food and other expenses. I think that’s the answer to our troubled economy. Generations (in families) working together more.
I loved what you had to say because you talked about motivation! Good for you! Minimum wage jobs are difficult jobs for so many reasons. They can be hard labor, with little to no ladder to climb. I myself have worked in a low low paying job that was back breaking. I like you was in school and had the comfort of knowing that this was not the rest of work life. However many other people that I worked with had no intentions on moving forward. I found that with little motivation they felt it was ok to less than good work, if they showed up for work at all. This is sad for Americans. We live in the world of opportunity and these people just feel stuck. There are so many factors at this time as to why people aren’t getting by in America. Like you said, you have to jump through so many hoops just to get state aid which can become very discouraging for a single working mom who knows the only way to better her life is to get an education, but it does truly seem unobtainable sometimes. It has taken be 11 years to go back to school! This is my 3rd attempt and the process of getting financial aid and getting registered and all of the other little details seemed like such a great mountain to climb. BUT IT CAN BE DONE!