I have been hearing that men of traditional working age are not doing so. According to studies, 1/9 of working age men between the ages of 25-54 are simply not working. In contrast to this, in the 1950s, only 2% of men in the 25-54 age range did not work. My immediate reaction to this news is absolute confusion. Men take pride in work, and men largely had no choice but to work.
The reasons proposed for this make sense- a lack of good-paying manufacturing jobs, a lack of purchasing power due to inflation and incomes not staying up with inflation. Manufacturing jobs in the 1950s-1970s coincided with the rise of the middle class, and it gave the United States a competitive advantage. But still, it is a bit unnerving that over 10% of able-bodied men in the prime of their lives are not working. If benefits can supply the income needed to supply and family will support a man without any job, it is conceivable a large number of men would not work. Our unemployment is around 3.4% (officially), and I myself am seeking a second job to help pay the bills. I have no safety net, so for me, not working is not an option.
I am a bit surprise the powers that be would let this happen. A large unemployed male population could be dangerous to their rule. It’s also advantageous in that there is a large number of people to draft if a large-scale conflict ever arose. An empire needs men to produce and to work. Men without jobs can become misdirected and how can you support a family without working unless you are upper crust old money?
We need to bring back manufacturing employment to America. The service economy has largely failed, with some 67% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck and men not working. This is a symptom of an empire in decline. As we enter a potential economic crunch with interest rates rising, we need to figure out how to right this ship.
Sources:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2023-super-bowl-lvii-ads-football-nfl/Pixabay