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Are the poor worse off now than they were during "baby-boomer growth mode"? Also, what is "baby-boomer growth mode"?

by 99_00 6y ago

supernova87a 6y ago
Maybe in an absolute material sense they are not worse off now. But most certainly the opportunity to advance and achieve relative changes in class and wealth are not as positive as they once were in the US. Baby boomer growth mode was when the needs and growth of post-war America meant that many, many people could have well-paying middle class jobs that were a source of great economic mobility and improvement across the USA. It was also an era with far less income inequality than now. When your grandparents talk about needing to show initiative and go out there and find opportunity, remind them that they grew up in an era where pretty much anyone with a heartbeat could earn enough at a medium skilled job to buy a home by age 40. Not so much now.
- 99_00 6y ago
  >the opportunity to advance and achieve relative changes in class and wealth are not as positive as they once were in the US When were opportunities for poor black people better and what metric do you use for this comparison?
- im3w1l 6y ago
  Building a primitive shelter doesn't take a lot of labor, can be done in weeks to months of time. Given that, it's absurd how hard housing is to come by.
  - me_againnnnnn 6y ago
    People working for 30 years to pay for something that is built in weeks is the entire problem. The price of land has to drop across the board for any improvements in society to happen. Everything eventually leads back to high rent.
csharptwdec19 6y ago
I think to some extent they are... Dollar stores I see more as a symptom and perpetuation of the problem poor people face today. (Conspicuous consumption.) When I was growing up, my parents had Air fans that they purchased YEARS before I was born. They're still working. Compare and contrast, I have a fan that only lasted 2 summers before burning out. Or, the knife set my parents got as a wedding gift and still use, compared to the set I got 2 years ago that already have pitting and the like. Before, poor people had access to good, quality used goods that could last. Now, they are stuck in the prisoner's dilemma; Either buying a more expensive used thing from goodwill/etc and see how long it lasts, or buying the cheap thing and knowing it's already on borrowed time.

Are the poor worse off now than they were during "baby-boomer growth mode"? Also, what is "baby-boomer growth mode"?

by 99_00 6y ago

Are the poor worse off now than they were during "baby-boomer growth mode"? Also, what is "baby-boomer growth mode"?

Maybe in an absolute material sense they are not worse off now. But most certainly the opportunity to advance and achieve relative changes in class and wealth are not as positive as they once were in the US. Baby boomer growth mode was when the needs and growth of post-war America meant that many, many people could have well-paying middle class jobs that were a source of great economic mobility and improvement across the USA. It was also an era with far less income inequality than now. When your grandparents talk about needing to show initiative and go out there and find opportunity, remind them that they grew up in an era where pretty much anyone with a heartbeat could earn enough at a medium skilled job to buy a home by age 40. Not so much now.

99_00 6y ago
>the opportunity to advance and achieve relative changes in class and wealth are not as positive as they once were in the US When were opportunities for poor black people better and what metric do you use for this comparison?
im3w1l 6y ago
Building a primitive shelter doesn't take a lot of labor, can be done in weeks to months of time. Given that, it's absurd how hard housing is to come by.
- me_againnnnnn 6y ago
  People working for 30 years to pay for something that is built in weeks is the entire problem. The price of land has to drop across the board for any improvements in society to happen. Everything eventually leads back to high rent.

csharptwdec19 6y ago

I think to some extent they are... Dollar stores I see more as a symptom and perpetuation of the problem poor people face today. (Conspicuous consumption.) When I was growing up, my parents had Air fans that they purchased YEARS before I was born. They're still working. Compare and contrast, I have a fan that only lasted 2 summers before burning out. Or, the knife set my parents got as a wedding gift and still use, compared to the set I got 2 years ago that already have pitting and the like. Before, poor people had access to good, quality used goods that could last. Now, they are stuck in the prisoner's dilemma; Either buying a more expensive used thing from goodwill/etc and see how long it lasts, or buying the cheap thing and knowing it's already on borrowed time.