It's easy to forget that the things that seem normal in today's world are often the result of changes in the systems and environment that determine the distribution of wealth, as explained in a Reddit post.
*This is a work of non-fiction sourced from social media discussion boards and verified experts/specialists.*
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The author begins by explaining the disparity of wealth and the insane cost of living increases to her 6-year-old daughter, who was curious about how this all worked. The author begins with:
“My grandparents, so my daughter's great grandparents, are both 80. They live on a lake in MN, have a boat, a jetski, 4 bedrooms, a truck, and a car both less than 10 years old. She asked me, "What did great-grandma and great-grandpa do for jobs when they were younger?" I responded "Great-grandpa worked for the state, mostly maintaining stoplights. Great-grandma was a secretary at a college".”
According to research by the Federal Reserve, Americans are earning significantly less than they did in 2000, sparking worries that economic gains have not kept pace with cost-of-living increases as prices for housing, healthcare, childcare, and higher education continue to rise. Additionally, a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that middle-class households are no longer the majority in most U.S. metro areas, signaling a shift in economic wealth distribution across generations.
The girl, despite her young age, is smart for her age, as the author continues with:
“Her response was to go super quiet for half a minute and then she said, "So you can get rich doing those jobs?" This kid is 6!! She already realizes something isn't adding up. If my husband had the same exact job that he has now, but set in the 1970s, we would be absolutely rolling in money. Instead, we both have to work full-time to afford a 3-bedroom tract house.”
The author laments about the state of the economy, concluding with:
“We've never had a real vacation. Trips, yes, we can afford ONE overnight in a hotel so we don't go very far. I also cannot imagine a world where any of our friends would be able to afford a third child. They all have zero, one, or two, and it all comes down to money. The system is messed up.”
What do you think?
Is the author right to feel that his family situation is unfair, and that the system is built to make people fail?
Or is this a case of a couple of parents being lazy, and they just need to work harder to be able to afford the lifestyle they want?
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