5 ms·
> No comment is made on studio apartments or having roommates. To me this is the most telling part. When you are poor you need to have one or more roommates to
by eikenberry 6y ago
> No comment is made on studio apartments or having roommates.
To me this is the most telling part. When you are poor you need to have one or more roommates to afford housing and this is not new. What is wrong with roommates?
I do think the US could use more small/studio apartment options for those who have a bit more money and prefer to live alone. I lived in a small studio once and enjoyed it, though I usually had roommates.
- dumbfoundded 6y agoIt depends on what the goal should be. Having roommates is fun when you're 20 something. Not when you're trying to support a family.
- eikenberry 6y agoMinimum wage is not designed to provide enough income to support a family. It it intended to prevent labor abuse.
- worik 6y agoIt really should be. Single people on the minimum wage would do very well. Maybe save? What is wrong with that?
- dumbfoundded 6y agoThe problem is the globalized economy. Ireland tax laws provide an example. Governments have little power over corporations as you can simply pick and choose which laws you want to operate under. Corporations have pushed governments to compete on favorable terms. Until governments unify basic tax and labor laws, these problems will continue.
- dumbfoundded 6y agoMinimum wage is designed for whatever we choose it to be. The original intent is somewhat unclear as all it did was establish a wage floor. Debating what abuse means is a different matter.
- Frost1x 6y agoIt's interesting that our economy has so many positions compensating at a rate designed to prevent labor abuse.
- eikenberry 6y agoUnintended consequences.
- II2II 6y agoOne issue with roommates is that rental laws are rarely designed to accommodate for that situation. For example, if one person is unwilling or unable to pay the rent the other(s) have to make up the difference with no real recourse. If they don't, well, the landlord does have recourse (even if it is heavily regulated and burdensome). This is a particular problem for older people or people with limited social connections since the options are more limited. The problem can be further aggravated if landlords have the right to veto the arrangement.
- thephyber 6y ago> What is wrong with roommates? Perhaps it's just a reasonable limitation placed on the analysis because without it the data isn't as valuable to make conclusions from. I'm not sure that statement here is necessarily a cultural desire (although I do know people who didn't want roommates, even as young single adults).