REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE  
comments_imageCOMMENTS: 53

Unemployment Is Hitting Men Particularly Hard -- and Both Sexes Are Losing Out

As men lose their jobs, households are depending increasingly on the relatively meager wages of women to stay afloat.
April 8, 2009  |  
 
 
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The Los Angeles Times is calling it the "he-cession." The stark facts show that the economic crisis is hitting men particularly hard: The official male unemployment rate just spiked to 8.8 percent, while the figure for women is on a slower rise, now at 7 percent. So we can add to the old-fashioned gender gap in wages (favoring men, who make one dollar to a woman's 80 cents for the same job), a new gender gap in unemployment, favoring women.

With women working more, there has been a role reversal of sorts, but it's hardly the kind feminists envisioned. As men lose their jobs, households are depending increasingly on the relatively meager wages of women to stay afloat. And the newly unemployed men aren't spending their freed-up time packing lunches and schlepping the kids to soccer games. According to a recent analysis of time use data by economists Alan B. Krueger and Andreas Mueller, they're devoting those hours to looking for new jobs -- and sleeping more, and watching more TV.

The picture of domestic life that emerges is not the gendered suburban dystopia of Revolutionary Road. But vestiges of that old order persist, mixing in new and potentially combustible ways with the legacy of feminism (the increased participation of women in the labor force), its unfinished business (their lower wages, and the lack of social supports for working motherhood), and the vagaries of this particular downturn, which has been especially merciless in male-dominated sectors like construction and manufacturing.

To put it another way, the "second shift" that sociologist Arlie Hochschild described in her classic book of that name is alive and well -- even as it's increasingly women alone who are working the first shift.

These complex dynamics were the subject of lively discussion at the symposium "Achieving Equity for Women" last week in Washington, organized by the Institute for Women's Policy Research. A few months ago, feminists were writing skeptical op-eds about President Obama's "macho stimulus package," which emphasized "shovel-ready" projects that would boost employment in traditionally male occupations over investment in childcare, education and health, where women are more likely to be employed.

Now that we know men have lost four out of every five jobs in this recession, the conversation among feminists is focusing on how the jobs women have hung onto weren't so great in the first place. For example, while childcare workers in many states make just minimum wage ($7.21 in Florida), construction workers, when they can get work, routinely earn upwards of $30 an hour. And childcare, meanwhile, continues to be woefully underfunded, with the stimulus package alotting just $2 billion to support care for low-income kids. To build a truly decent universal system -- making life sane for all working parents -- the price tag would be more like $100-$200 billion.

With women poised to eclipse men the labor force -- they're at 49.1 percent and counting -- it's nice to have proof that the much-celebrated "Opt-Out Revolution" was the smoke and mirrors working mothers always knew it was. But there's no reason to cheer this milestone if it mainly reflects the obliteration of jobs for men. Likewise, the narrowing of the gender gap in wages (which has been cut in half in the past 25 years) has been in part an illusory victory, since it has reflected not just the advancement of upper-income women, but the fact that the real wages of low-skilled men were eroding.

In other words, if men take two steps back, and women one, we all wind up behind.


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See more stories tagged with: gender, women, men, wage gap, recession, manufacturing, construction


Comments are closed-

An new era on Alternet?
Posted by: Crazy H on Apr 8, 2009 8:23 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Damn, an article sympathetic to men! In "reproductive justice and gender" no less?

I'm expecting to see a pig fly past my window any minute now. Or maybe they're just late for April Fools...

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» Well, except for that part about... Posted by: MartianBachelor

Comments are closed-

As an older male
Posted by: JSquercia on Apr 8, 2009 8:41 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As an Older male ,a MUCH older male . I can only comment on the events of my life . My wife worked prior to our children being born and thanks to her we had the down Payment for our house .
While the kids were young she was able to stay at home with them while I commuted to work .I always told her I got the better of the deal in spite of working lots of Overtime . I had the joy of the kids when I came home and on weekends PLUS I had the stimulating interaction at work .
She returned to work when the Kids were in school . It was easier since she was a teacher
so her hours pretty much coinsided with theirs .
From my point of view based on my upbringing I think unemployment is harder on a man . I and those of my generation felt your main job was that of the PROVIDER and failure to provide was a source of real shame . I know that even the THREAT of losing my job resulted in bouts of Depression .
I am sure that there are some males out there who still harbor this idea of being NOTHING if you are not providing for the family.It would not surprise me if these types not only became depressed but actually committed suicide .

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: As an older male Posted by: monkeywrench
» RE: As an older male Posted by: luzmejor

Comments are closed-

this is what the feminists wanted..and they got it...
Posted by: Annapurna1 on Apr 8, 2009 10:50 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
next time be more careful what you wish for...

OTOH..i think it has always been understood that achieving financial parity between the sexes meant pushing the guys backward somewhat...but what the feminists prolly didnt have in mind was that wealth would be redistributed not from males to females.. but from males to male corporate CEOs...

nevertheless..the upward transfer of wealth has made the sexes more equal..by making them equally poor...and of course the question i have for all you feminists is was it worth it??..

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Comments are closed-

I have to take issue with one statement.
Posted by: and_abottleofrum on Apr 9, 2009 12:18 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"For example, while childcare workers in many states make just minimum wage ($7.21 in Florida), construction workers, when they can get work, routinely earn upwards of $30 an hour."

Maybe if you're a boom crane operator with twenty years of experience, but most construction workers aren't. The Mexicans my brother-in-law occasionally used to hire made $10/hour, and that was more than a lot of others got.

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» $30 is NOT the norm Posted by: Eat Politicians
» Davis-Bacon Act Posted by: helenahanbasquet
» RE: Davis-Bacon Act Posted by: John Wilbur
» RE: Davis-Bacon Act Posted by: helenahanbasquet

Comments are closed-

Why could the ladies not participate in the “macho stimulus package"?
Posted by: Honky the Nihilist... on Apr 9, 2009 12:47 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
No one is forcing women into crappy low wage care giver jobs.

13 year old girls are often hired to watch after children for hours on end. If you choose that as a career, you are just plain stupid to expect to be compensated alone the same lines of a skilled laborer.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

About women and employment plus I have an issue with this article on men.
Posted by: CarlaWaters on Apr 9, 2009 4:56 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Getting laid off and choosing to leave is often common amongst men more than women. Usually, women will stay because we won't be as comfortable switching to another company just like that.

In this article, they said that men are watching TV and sleeping more. I don't see that as the case when men are generally not comfortable staying unemployed. TV is nothing but useless crap and sleeping more is highly unlikely when they have that insecure feeling of staying unemployed. At least that's what I've been told about most men when women would tell me about their husband's/boyfriend's unemployment status. My husband himself didn't watch TV for even a minute nor did he sleep more than 5 hours a night day after day as he was going through daily job interviews and he even had some on the weekend. Of course that was 3 years ago and he hasn't changed his job since. He's prepared to do it again should he get another layoff.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Bang on! Posted by: truthlover
» RE: Bang on! Posted by: Lascar
» Huge advantage Posted by: truthlover

Comments are closed-

Actually, mixed results I've witnessed. Also, no mention of single men.
Posted by: JenniferBedingfield on Apr 9, 2009 7:25 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There are mixed results that I've noticed when men are unemployed but their wives/girlfriends aren't.

One of my former coworkers of my previous employer faced layoffs like most of us. He would work tirelessly to find another job while his wife tried to help him even as she got stressed out. 9 months later, she too was laid off and the last I heard from them was that the couple sold their townhouse since they could no longer afford it and bought a trailer home and moved out west to rural land.

In another case, a neighbor of mine was once laid off and he and his wife actually switched roles once she got hired. He chose to be the housewife and did it for 6 months before going back to seeking employment. He was initially laughed at by his new coworkers but didn't mind it. I don't think he was lazy in this case either.

I would also like to bring up the issue of single men as this article provides no information on them. I have noticed that this article somewhat paints men as mooching off their women and I've seen some people in the comments section saying the same. What's not mentioned is that if men are single, there's no way they'll consider being lazy as they have no choice in life. Men can have their issues but I think this pushes it too far.

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» Thank you Jennifer Posted by: mariorsx

Comments are closed-

True dat...
Posted by: Farkle on Apr 9, 2009 10:58 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I don't blame my husband for his getting fired. But I wish he would at least TRY to find a job and help around the house.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» It sounds like divorce is on the way. Posted by: and_abottleofrum
» Trying to find a job Posted by: truthlover

Comments are closed-

I can only speak for myself
Posted by: mariorsx on Apr 9, 2009 11:45 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
So we only watch TV and sleep. That may be truth for some, but I am sure the majority of men just can't do that.

I have been laid off twice in the past 2 years, thanks to the wonderful economic climate in wich we live. Despite all social advances women had made in the past 3 decades
( hope I can see the day, when they achive parity with men, because we are equals, besides the obvius physical differences ), men are still considered the main providers in the house. When men cannot provise, their selfworth go down the toilet.

I cannot get enough sleep, worriying about the house been on forclosure ( I am waiting on a court date ), not finding work, ( it seems the only jobs available are minimum wage, wich what I am making with my unemployment check ), and been sick and not been able to see a doctor, because you know why. I have lost 20 lbs, in my already skinny frame ( 5'8" 120 lbs ), and am about to lose it.

I know I will have to take any low pay job soon, because my unemployment is running out.
That will probably kill me...but before that happens, I think i will go to the Hamptons for a hunting spree....

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Looking for a job is expensive. Posted by: and_abottleofrum
» I hope you avoid foreclosure Posted by: truthlover
» You're not alone. Posted by: Benn_Miller

Comments are closed-

End the Gender War
Posted by: raycushing on Apr 9, 2009 2:07 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What we're seeing is economic class warfare, not gender inequity. Arch-feminists should drop the false claim that men are not as domestic as women. That's bull. I am a single Dad with joint custody of two little boys and I work my butt off taking care of these kids and the house WHILE making a full-time living on the Internet. Their mother chose to split from me, and I have more than picked up the slack. Quit trashing men, ladies. Women are leaving marriages at twice the rate of men and all the men I know are doing at least their fair share to maintain some stability for the kids after Mommy takes a hike, usually because she's bored. Hooray for men! Lose the feminist rhetoric -- it's so 1970s.

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Boo-Hoo, there is a remedy for this which is
Posted by: drfun on Apr 9, 2009 3:06 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
don't fall into the American Dream trap in the first place, with the facts to prove what the 2nd word imply s, where more people have been foreclosed upon than ever owned their home.

Any sensible and responsible person should have known for the past 30 years, the USA has been heading for this disaster by run-a-way deficit spending a bloated government has supported on programs that had no security interests for the country.

Supporting former "Freedom Fighter's" that are now re-labeled "Terrorist's" by the same tired-old men of the GOP who spend more time at multi-marriage infidelities, Congressional Page or bathroom-stall sex, or getting pregnant before marriage, with your daughter doing the same while aggressively championing abstinence only programs.

You mentally-challenged that desire to spawn clones of yourself didn't think about the exploding world population or the ramifications of quickly diminishing natural resources they face.

Upon a planet that will soon show its parasitic host what is has done to past creations of life.

Enjoy what little the is left with the limited time you have.

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Well, I'm the only one working and I'm trying to help my lovely wife recover from her illness.
Posted by: Benn_Miller on Apr 9, 2009 6:55 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Hopefully, I won't get laid off even though even working as a tech lead with a clearance doesn't guarantee everything. Even if my wife does end up working if and when I face a layoff, you won't see me watching TV and sleeping too long. And before anyone accuses me of waiting for my wife to earn before I mooch off of her, let me tell you something. Not happening. In fact, she herself hasn't decided whether she wants to go back to working or be a housewife but I will let her choose freely and gladly abide by her decision.

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So, when one half of society suffers, so does the other half?
Posted by: SalB on Apr 9, 2009 7:47 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Interesting concept....

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Sometimes a disadvantage becomes an advantage.
Posted by: nickspm on Apr 9, 2009 11:25 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If employers can get away with paying a woman 20 percent less than a man, then employers have a built-in incentive to hire more women than men.

Everyone gets a raw deal. Women get paid less than they should for the same job a man supposedly still does. However, the dirty little secret is that a lot of those companies have no intention of hiring a man because they don't want to pay higher labor costs.

So someone mentioned something about single guys not having the option to be a stay-at-home dads. Look at the bright side. There has never been a better time to ride the rails and be a hobo. Maybe you can even learn to play a bit of harmonica for tips and scraps.
Anything has got to be better than sending out hundreds of resumes without getting a reply. Just stay away from the train cars that look like they just might have actually been built to carry human cargo!

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Meager wages of women?
Posted by: Ayla87 on Apr 10, 2009 10:48 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Where do hell you work? The women at the company I work for make some of the highest wages on the books.

The highest wage we have ever paid is 99.25 per hour and that went to a woman. The lowest wage, exluding myself is $29.50/hr, and that goes to a man.

Everyone else is in the middle, but women still hold their own quite well in this enviornment.

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Meager wages of women #2
Posted by: messedup on Apr 11, 2009 2:40 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I've been seeing this all along, and it's fine, I don't care enough about money really.

The truth is that women employment is catching up to mens, I think it may have surpassed it recently, AND while womens wages are inclining, mens wages are declining. All the women I work with are surpassing me in wages, raises, promotions, training opportunities, the good work hours, the good jobs, etc.

The only upside to me is that I don't work as hard, the bar has been seemingly lowered, even our women managers get away with things I would never have imagined. I used to work my ass off when I was younger, but as a man, I'll still be doing work that the women don't want, probably for the rest of my life.

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In the recession of the late 70's...(which was worse, BTW)
Posted by: wagadog on Apr 11, 2009 7:49 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
My mom supported 5 children (and 2 adults, and her mom!) on her lab tech's salary while my dad was unemployed for 2 years.

I was one of those kids. No, it was not easy at all. But we kept the house.

He kept house (beautifully, mind you) and worked odd jobs when he could. He had suicidal thoughts which he shared with me once, which brought us much closer together. I told him we loved him for HIM, his sense of humor, for bringing us into this world, for loving us, for putting the second floor on the house, for teaching us how to garden and love each other.

He did not watch TV, but rather threw himself into home improvement projects of all sorts.

Working class men have suffered before like this in recessions, and working class women have ALWAYS worked, rain or shine, because guess what. We've seen it all before.

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So Does This Mean . . . ?
Posted by: Red State Gal on Apr 18, 2009 5:51 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
. . . that men will now fight for women to have equitable wages, because men themselves now know they might one day have to rely on the wages of their wives?

Red State Gal
RedStateFeminists

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Alternet Comments:

Comments are closed-

An new era on Alternet?
Posted by: Crazy H on Apr 8, 2009 8:23 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Damn, an article sympathetic to men! In "reproductive justice and gender" no less?

I'm expecting to see a pig fly past my window any minute now. Or maybe they're just late for April Fools...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Well, except for that part about... Posted by: MartianBachelor

Comments are closed-

As an older male
Posted by: JSquercia on Apr 8, 2009 8:41 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As an Older male ,a MUCH older male . I can only comment on the events of my life . My wife worked prior to our children being born and thanks to her we had the down Payment for our house .
While the kids were young she was able to stay at home with them while I commuted to work .I always told her I got the better of the deal in spite of working lots of Overtime . I had the joy of the kids when I came home and on weekends PLUS I had the stimulating interaction at work .
She returned to work when the Kids were in school . It was easier since she was a teacher
so her hours pretty much coinsided with theirs .
From my point of view based on my upbringing I think unemployment is harder on a man . I and those of my generation felt your main job was that of the PROVIDER and failure to provide was a source of real shame . I know that even the THREAT of losing my job resulted in bouts of Depression .
I am sure that there are some males out there who still harbor this idea of being NOTHING if you are not providing for the family.It would not surprise me if these types not only became depressed but actually committed suicide .

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: As an older male Posted by: monkeywrench
» RE: As an older male Posted by: luzmejor

Comments are closed-

this is what the feminists wanted..and they got it...
Posted by: Annapurna1 on Apr 8, 2009 10:50 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
next time be more careful what you wish for...

OTOH..i think it has always been understood that achieving financial parity between the sexes meant pushing the guys backward somewhat...but what the feminists prolly didnt have in mind was that wealth would be redistributed not from males to females.. but from males to male corporate CEOs...

nevertheless..the upward transfer of wealth has made the sexes more equal..by making them equally poor...and of course the question i have for all you feminists is was it worth it??..

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

I have to take issue with one statement.
Posted by: and_abottleofrum on Apr 9, 2009 12:18 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"For example, while childcare workers in many states make just minimum wage ($7.21 in Florida), construction workers, when they can get work, routinely earn upwards of $30 an hour."

Maybe if you're a boom crane operator with twenty years of experience, but most construction workers aren't. The Mexicans my brother-in-law occasionally used to hire made $10/hour, and that was more than a lot of others got.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» $30 is NOT the norm Posted by: Eat Politicians
» Davis-Bacon Act Posted by: helenahanbasquet
» RE: Davis-Bacon Act Posted by: John Wilbur
» RE: Davis-Bacon Act Posted by: helenahanbasquet

Comments are closed-

Why could the ladies not participate in the “macho stimulus package"?
Posted by: Honky the Nihilist... on Apr 9, 2009 12:47 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
No one is forcing women into crappy low wage care giver jobs.

13 year old girls are often hired to watch after children for hours on end. If you choose that as a career, you are just plain stupid to expect to be compensated alone the same lines of a skilled laborer.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

About women and employment plus I have an issue with this article on men.
Posted by: CarlaWaters on Apr 9, 2009 4:56 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Getting laid off and choosing to leave is often common amongst men more than women. Usually, women will stay because we won't be as comfortable switching to another company just like that.

In this article, they said that men are watching TV and sleeping more. I don't see that as the case when men are generally not comfortable staying unemployed. TV is nothing but useless crap and sleeping more is highly unlikely when they have that insecure feeling of staying unemployed. At least that's what I've been told about most men when women would tell me about their husband's/boyfriend's unemployment status. My husband himself didn't watch TV for even a minute nor did he sleep more than 5 hours a night day after day as he was going through daily job interviews and he even had some on the weekend. Of course that was 3 years ago and he hasn't changed his job since. He's prepared to do it again should he get another layoff.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Bang on! Posted by: truthlover
» RE: Bang on! Posted by: Lascar
» Huge advantage Posted by: truthlover

Comments are closed-

Actually, mixed results I've witnessed. Also, no mention of single men.
Posted by: JenniferBedingfield on Apr 9, 2009 7:25 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There are mixed results that I've noticed when men are unemployed but their wives/girlfriends aren't.

One of my former coworkers of my previous employer faced layoffs like most of us. He would work tirelessly to find another job while his wife tried to help him even as she got stressed out. 9 months later, she too was laid off and the last I heard from them was that the couple sold their townhouse since they could no longer afford it and bought a trailer home and moved out west to rural land.

In another case, a neighbor of mine was once laid off and he and his wife actually switched roles once she got hired. He chose to be the housewife and did it for 6 months before going back to seeking employment. He was initially laughed at by his new coworkers but didn't mind it. I don't think he was lazy in this case either.

I would also like to bring up the issue of single men as this article provides no information on them. I have noticed that this article somewhat paints men as mooching off their women and I've seen some people in the comments section saying the same. What's not mentioned is that if men are single, there's no way they'll consider being lazy as they have no choice in life. Men can have their issues but I think this pushes it too far.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Thank you Jennifer Posted by: mariorsx

Comments are closed-

True dat...
Posted by: Farkle on Apr 9, 2009 10:58 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I don't blame my husband for his getting fired. But I wish he would at least TRY to find a job and help around the house.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» It sounds like divorce is on the way. Posted by: and_abottleofrum
» Trying to find a job Posted by: truthlover

Comments are closed-

I can only speak for myself
Posted by: mariorsx on Apr 9, 2009 11:45 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
So we only watch TV and sleep. That may be truth for some, but I am sure the majority of men just can't do that.

I have been laid off twice in the past 2 years, thanks to the wonderful economic climate in wich we live. Despite all social advances women had made in the past 3 decades
( hope I can see the day, when they achive parity with men, because we are equals, besides the obvius physical differences ), men are still considered the main providers in the house. When men cannot provise, their selfworth go down the toilet.

I cannot get enough sleep, worriying about the house been on forclosure ( I am waiting on a court date ), not finding work, ( it seems the only jobs available are minimum wage, wich what I am making with my unemployment check ), and been sick and not been able to see a doctor, because you know why. I have lost 20 lbs, in my already skinny frame ( 5'8" 120 lbs ), and am about to lose it.

I know I will have to take any low pay job soon, because my unemployment is running out.
That will probably kill me...but before that happens, I think i will go to the Hamptons for a hunting spree....

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Looking for a job is expensive. Posted by: and_abottleofrum
» I hope you avoid foreclosure Posted by: truthlover
» You're not alone. Posted by: Benn_Miller

Comments are closed-

End the Gender War
Posted by: raycushing on Apr 9, 2009 2:07 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What we're seeing is economic class warfare, not gender inequity. Arch-feminists should drop the false claim that men are not as domestic as women. That's bull. I am a single Dad with joint custody of two little boys and I work my butt off taking care of these kids and the house WHILE making a full-time living on the Internet. Their mother chose to split from me, and I have more than picked up the slack. Quit trashing men, ladies. Women are leaving marriages at twice the rate of men and all the men I know are doing at least their fair share to maintain some stability for the kids after Mommy takes a hike, usually because she's bored. Hooray for men! Lose the feminist rhetoric -- it's so 1970s.

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Boo-Hoo, there is a remedy for this which is
Posted by: drfun on Apr 9, 2009 3:06 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
don't fall into the American Dream trap in the first place, with the facts to prove what the 2nd word imply s, where more people have been foreclosed upon than ever owned their home.

Any sensible and responsible person should have known for the past 30 years, the USA has been heading for this disaster by run-a-way deficit spending a bloated government has supported on programs that had no security interests for the country.

Supporting former "Freedom Fighter's" that are now re-labeled "Terrorist's" by the same tired-old men of the GOP who spend more time at multi-marriage infidelities, Congressional Page or bathroom-stall sex, or getting pregnant before marriage, with your daughter doing the same while aggressively championing abstinence only programs.

You mentally-challenged that desire to spawn clones of yourself didn't think about the exploding world population or the ramifications of quickly diminishing natural resources they face.

Upon a planet that will soon show its parasitic host what is has done to past creations of life.

Enjoy what little the is left with the limited time you have.

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Well, I'm the only one working and I'm trying to help my lovely wife recover from her illness.
Posted by: Benn_Miller on Apr 9, 2009 6:55 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Hopefully, I won't get laid off even though even working as a tech lead with a clearance doesn't guarantee everything. Even if my wife does end up working if and when I face a layoff, you won't see me watching TV and sleeping too long. And before anyone accuses me of waiting for my wife to earn before I mooch off of her, let me tell you something. Not happening. In fact, she herself hasn't decided whether she wants to go back to working or be a housewife but I will let her choose freely and gladly abide by her decision.

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So, when one half of society suffers, so does the other half?
Posted by: SalB on Apr 9, 2009 7:47 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Interesting concept....

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Sometimes a disadvantage becomes an advantage.
Posted by: nickspm on Apr 9, 2009 11:25 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If employers can get away with paying a woman 20 percent less than a man, then employers have a built-in incentive to hire more women than men.

Everyone gets a raw deal. Women get paid less than they should for the same job a man supposedly still does. However, the dirty little secret is that a lot of those companies have no intention of hiring a man because they don't want to pay higher labor costs.

So someone mentioned something about single guys not having the option to be a stay-at-home dads. Look at the bright side. There has never been a better time to ride the rails and be a hobo. Maybe you can even learn to play a bit of harmonica for tips and scraps.
Anything has got to be better than sending out hundreds of resumes without getting a reply. Just stay away from the train cars that look like they just might have actually been built to carry human cargo!

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Meager wages of women?
Posted by: Ayla87 on Apr 10, 2009 10:48 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Where do hell you work? The women at the company I work for make some of the highest wages on the books.

The highest wage we have ever paid is 99.25 per hour and that went to a woman. The lowest wage, exluding myself is $29.50/hr, and that goes to a man.

Everyone else is in the middle, but women still hold their own quite well in this enviornment.

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Meager wages of women #2
Posted by: messedup on Apr 11, 2009 2:40 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I've been seeing this all along, and it's fine, I don't care enough about money really.

The truth is that women employment is catching up to mens, I think it may have surpassed it recently, AND while womens wages are inclining, mens wages are declining. All the women I work with are surpassing me in wages, raises, promotions, training opportunities, the good work hours, the good jobs, etc.

The only upside to me is that I don't work as hard, the bar has been seemingly lowered, even our women managers get away with things I would never have imagined. I used to work my ass off when I was younger, but as a man, I'll still be doing work that the women don't want, probably for the rest of my life.

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In the recession of the late 70's...(which was worse, BTW)
Posted by: wagadog on Apr 11, 2009 7:49 PM   
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My mom supported 5 children (and 2 adults, and her mom!) on her lab tech's salary while my dad was unemployed for 2 years.

I was one of those kids. No, it was not easy at all. But we kept the house.

He kept house (beautifully, mind you) and worked odd jobs when he could. He had suicidal thoughts which he shared with me once, which brought us much closer together. I told him we loved him for HIM, his sense of humor, for bringing us into this world, for loving us, for putting the second floor on the house, for teaching us how to garden and love each other.

He did not watch TV, but rather threw himself into home improvement projects of all sorts.

Working class men have suffered before like this in recessions, and working class women have ALWAYS worked, rain or shine, because guess what. We've seen it all before.

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So Does This Mean . . . ?
Posted by: Red State Gal on Apr 18, 2009 5:51 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
. . . that men will now fight for women to have equitable wages, because men themselves now know they might one day have to rely on the wages of their wives?

Red State Gal
RedStateFeminists

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