I've been through the Ph.D. process and while I agree that stipends should be larger, it is not insurmountable. Specifically, what you're missing is that stipe

I've been through the Ph.D. process and while I agree that stipends should be larger, it is not insurmountable. Specifically, what you're missing is that stipends are a 9 month salary and that many students, including myself, take summer internships that make up the difference. I was paid $23k in stipend a little over a decade ago. I also worked for a technical employer for three months each summer that paid about $35/hr, which brought in about $17k in additional income. Occasionally, I would work a month in the winter as well to bring in additional income. That said, I was making about $40k a year at the time and I know for certain that salaries both at my university and for said employer have risen. And, yes, my final year I did not work the summer in order to finish my thesis. Yes, I understand that not everyone has the luxury of additional employment. However, it is not a truism that those of us who pursue a PhD must sacrifice their personal life or career prospects. It improved both of mine.