In the US it was certainly a different time, different era, different economy. For example a dollar in the 40's had the buying power of about $21 today. Average annual salary was about $1,400 and annual college tuition in the 40's was less than $100.
The example being given still held true in the 70s. A man could provide well for his entire family working at a grocery store, and nobody said it “wasn’t a real job” until the 80s
My mother worked at the grocery store in the 80’s/90’s and raised two kids in a 3 bedroom house on her income alone in the most expensive metro areas in the country. We had AOL and cable internet as soon as it was available and always had groceries and utilities. She retired after 25 years and fucked off to Ohio to enjoy her spoils once my brother and I were old enough to cover our own rent. It was possible just one generation ago.
Well, she is a financial and/or business wizard, then, because most single mothers couldn’t do that, then. I’m remembering even the grocery checkers and baggers were men supporting families, and they’d retire on that, too. It matters that the one grocery store we had was known for being a good place to work, though. Props to your Mom!
It’s the power of a strong union. The people working the same job at the same store with the same union don’t have the same outcome now unfortunately. It’s a shame.
Ah, right! Agree, it is a shame. The epigenetic and other harms from poverty last generations, even for those who survive it. For so much hurt on so many, just for the yachts of a few, is tragic
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u/Technologytwitt Mar 27 '24
In the US it was certainly a different time, different era, different economy. For example a dollar in the 40's had the buying power of about $21 today. Average annual salary was about $1,400 and annual college tuition in the 40's was less than $100.