Home Economics

America faces a plethora of problems and issues on a daily basis. Let’s face it, though many view us as superior to all other countries, we, as a nation, are far from a utopia. Because of our supremacy and power, we probably deal with more issues than any other country in the world. But, judging the importance of these issues is simply a matter of opinion. One can argue valid points for multiple issues as being the most important of all. In my opinion, the lack of income created for middle class families by the economy and its effect on the home is most important. The lack of funds being generated in the middle class factors into higher divorce rates, broken families, a lack of morality in today’s youth, poor relationships between parents and their children, and the difficulty of putting children through college.

Since 1973, eighty percent of families have either a decreased household income, a lowered standard of living or a household income that has remained stagnant. Couple that with money issues being the number one reason why married couples argue and it can be seen why I link the poor economy to our startling divorce rate. Life can become drab and depressing when forced to live check-to-check, thus creating an unhappy household and possibly a split between the couple. But lack of income is not the only reason why I feel the economy is somewhat responsible for divorces in America. More and more husbands and wives are being forced to take on second jobs in order to make ends meet. These extra hours at work or second jobs are being taken at the expense of time spent with their significant other. Because of this lack of time together, the spouses may become distant, which could also lead to a divorce.

Family does not play as important role in life as it did in the past. I believe that the lack of income created by the economy play a big role in this as well. Parents are forced to work longer hours to support their children financially at the expense of supporting them personally and emotionally. The lack of time spent at home because of extra work forces children to become independent before they are ready to do so. A parent’s duty is to guide their child through the ups and downs of life, teaching them morals, values, and discipline along the way. When the parents are forced to work all day to maintain stability in the household, there is no one there to teach the child these life essentials. When the parents aren’t available to guide their child, they learn their morals from watching MTV and reading teen magazines filled with sex stories. The American youth’s view of life is becoming distorted because the word “family” has been redefined.

Finally, the lack of funds being created for the middle class makes it that much more difficult to send a child or children to college. Tuition costs are already outrageous, but lowered income makes it almost unmanageable. Middle class teenagers who cannot afford college are forced to enter the workforce at low paying entry-level jobs. Over the last fifteen years, wages for male high school graduates have decreased by thirty percent. For young women, the decrease is eighteen percent. What does this mean? It means that teenagers are getting hired into dead end jobs right out of high school, almost certainly trapping themselves into a middle class life just like their parents. In today’s society, it is extremely difficult to make a career for yourself without a college degree.

Though it may not be noticed, the economy directly effects the middle class households of America and the relationships within them. If the economy could create better wages and more income opportunities for middle class families, marriages would be strengthened and parents and children would develop better relationships. Today’s youth would no longer learn life lessons from unrealistic TV programs and magazines. Finally, more middle class children would go to college, not allowing themselves to be conformed to the lives of their middle class parents.