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> The country’s exceptionally thin safety net prompts residents—especially those with less-steady employment—to view partnership in more economic terms. Huh? T

> The country’s exceptionally thin safety net prompts residents—especially those with less-steady employment—to view partnership in more economic terms. Huh? This is literally the opposite of reality. It's the poorer countries with low GDPs per capita that have thin public safety nets, and where strong marriage and family ties are a must, economically speaking. Here in The West, we're so rich that we'll redistribute our money (tax dollars) and allow you to become a single mother. Furthermore, name me another part of the world with fat homeless people. Marriage is not "transactional" in the country with one of the richest countries on Earth. With a GDP per capita of 57,466.79 USD (2016), marriage is optional, and economically independent women don't need to settle with mid-tier men, especially not during the "fun years" (e.g. 18 - 30). Remember, 80% of men are below average: https://theblog.okcupid.com/your-looks-and-your-inbox-8715c0f1561e https://theblog.okcupid.com/your-looks-and-your-inbox-8715c0...

coldtea 9y ago
>It's the poorer countries with low GDPs per capita that have thin public safety nets, and where strong marriage and family ties are a must, economically speaking. Here in The West, we're so rich that we'll redistribute our money (tax dollars) and allow you to become a single mother. That was then, this is now, as they say. In the west safety nets might not be as thin as in the "poorer countries" but they have been getting increasingly thinner. And being a "single mother" is the last thing (economically speaking) anyone would wish for in today's climate. So you're both right. Marriage is even more transactional in the poorer countries, but the article is about how it's becoming more transactional in the US too, which is indeed a thing. >Marriage is not "transactional" in the country with one of the richest countries on Earth. That doesn't matter for those who can't find a job, or that are an illness away from being homeless and with no savings -- which are millions.
- gozur88 9y ago
  >In the west safety nets might not be as thin as in the "poorer countries" but they have been getting increasingly thinner. I can't speak for the rest of The West, but the safety net in the US has been getting better over time. Compared to my childhood it's easier to qualify for government assistance and it's easier to get medical care.
  - coldtea 9y ago
    >I can't speak for the rest of The West, but the safety net in the US has been getting better over time. Compared to my childhood it's easier to qualify for government assistance and it's easier to get medical care. Compared to the time when a single income earner in a family of four, could buy a house in their 30s and send their kids to college?
    - dragonwriter 9y ago
      That's not the safety net, that's a condition contributing to whether people who need the safety net. But, yes, in a number of key respects, the safety net has gotten worse, too. And it's harder to qualify for most assistance (other than health insurance subsidies) than it was pre-“Welfare Reform”.
- refurb 9y ago
  In the west safety nets might not be as thin as in the "poorer countries" but they have been getting increasingly thinner. Do you have an example? In the US there are more social safety net benefits than 10 years ago. ACA subsidy, Medicaid expansion, Medicare Part D, etc.
nl 9y ago
It's the poorer countries with low GDPs per capita that have thin public safety nets, and where strong marriage and family ties are a must, economically speaking. This used to be true, but over the last 15 to 20 years the rest of the world has gotten a lot richer, and safety net programs have become much more broadly available. It's hard to compare of course, but https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/ https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/ gives some guidance.
- horsecaptin 9y ago
  That's right, and the rest of the world's divorce rates are going up and marriage rates are falling.

coldtea 9y ago

>It's the poorer countries with low GDPs per capita that have thin public safety nets, and where strong marriage and family ties are a must, economically speaking. Here in The West, we're so rich that we'll redistribute our money (tax dollars) and allow you to become a single mother. That was then, this is now, as they say. In the west safety nets might not be as thin as in the "poorer countries" but they have been getting increasingly thinner. And being a "single mother" is the last thing (economically speaking) anyone would wish for in today's climate. So you're both right. Marriage is even more transactional in the poorer countries, but the article is about how it's becoming more transactional in the US too, which is indeed a thing. >Marriage is not "transactional" in the country with one of the richest countries on Earth. That doesn't matter for those who can't find a job, or that are an illness away from being homeless and with no savings -- which are millions.

gozur88 9y ago
>In the west safety nets might not be as thin as in the "poorer countries" but they have been getting increasingly thinner. I can't speak for the rest of The West, but the safety net in the US has been getting better over time. Compared to my childhood it's easier to qualify for government assistance and it's easier to get medical care.
- coldtea 9y ago
  >I can't speak for the rest of The West, but the safety net in the US has been getting better over time. Compared to my childhood it's easier to qualify for government assistance and it's easier to get medical care. Compared to the time when a single income earner in a family of four, could buy a house in their 30s and send their kids to college?
  - dragonwriter 9y ago
    That's not the safety net, that's a condition contributing to whether people who need the safety net. But, yes, in a number of key respects, the safety net has gotten worse, too. And it's harder to qualify for most assistance (other than health insurance subsidies) than it was pre-“Welfare Reform”.
refurb 9y ago
In the west safety nets might not be as thin as in the "poorer countries" but they have been getting increasingly thinner. Do you have an example? In the US there are more social safety net benefits than 10 years ago. ACA subsidy, Medicaid expansion, Medicare Part D, etc.

nl 9y ago

It's the poorer countries with low GDPs per capita that have thin public safety nets, and where strong marriage and family ties are a must, economically speaking. This used to be true, but over the last 15 to 20 years the rest of the world has gotten a lot richer, and safety net programs have become much more broadly available. It's hard to compare of course, but https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/ https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/ gives some guidance.

horsecaptin 9y ago
That's right, and the rest of the world's divorce rates are going up and marriage rates are falling.