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There are a number of important jobs in the US (like PT, speech, teachers, nurses) that are becoming increasingly not economically viable. It's difficult earn e

by beej71 4y ago

There are a number of important jobs in the US (like PT, speech, teachers, nurses) that are becoming increasingly not economically viable. It's difficult earn enough to pay down your education debt while finding a place to live. Yes, there's PSLF, but you can only get credit toward that if you work in a public institution or non-profit. And certain political elements are keen to end that program--who knows if it will be around 10 years from now. There's also income-based repayments with forgiveness after 20 years, but, depending on how the political winds blow, you might owe tax on the amount forgiven, which could have ballooned to huge amounts over two decades. You're risking being in debt until your dying day. This isn't a great position to be in, nationally. The US education system has grown increasingly fucked over the last 40 years and we're all going to pay when it breaks. IMHO.

jfengel 4y ago
All of those jobs are sometimes called "caring positions". They have a number of things in common: * They all work directly with people who are not fully capable adults (due to age, illness, etc) * You are expected to find fulfillment in caring for other people * They're all relatively low paid despite requiring significant education, and often require extended hours * In the recent past (19th century) they were not professional jobs at all * They're all traditionally filled by women * They're all low status These jobs are hard to keep economically viable because we don't take them seriously. They should be high status jobs because they're so important, but they had been performed by family, often mothers or wives. They didn't receive a salary for it. It was part of their general duties, and they were assumed to be happy to take care of their loved ones. We continue to resent paying for these as they professionalize, and that pushes down salaries. But economics bites back: people are no longer forced into them, and they'll no longer tolerate "But you love your pupils/patients and they'll suffer if you leave". That's not the only reason the education system is fucked, but it's a doozy. They're finally feeling it, and having a hard time hiring teachers. That might lead to a fix, but only after people are willing to admit that these are important, demanding jobs and they need to spend money to get people to do them.

by beej71 4y ago

jfengel 4y ago

All of those jobs are sometimes called "caring positions". They have a number of things in common: * They all work directly with people who are not fully capable adults (due to age, illness, etc) * You are expected to find fulfillment in caring for other people * They're all relatively low paid despite requiring significant education, and often require extended hours * In the recent past (19th century) they were not professional jobs at all * They're all traditionally filled by women * They're all low status These jobs are hard to keep economically viable because we don't take them seriously. They should be high status jobs because they're so important, but they had been performed by family, often mothers or wives. They didn't receive a salary for it. It was part of their general duties, and they were assumed to be happy to take care of their loved ones. We continue to resent paying for these as they professionalize, and that pushes down salaries. But economics bites back: people are no longer forced into them, and they'll no longer tolerate "But you love your pupils/patients and they'll suffer if you leave". That's not the only reason the education system is fucked, but it's a doozy. They're finally feeling it, and having a hard time hiring teachers. That might lead to a fix, but only after people are willing to admit that these are important, demanding jobs and they need to spend money to get people to do them.