Jobs anyone? No Thanks. "I don't want one," is the response from 34.3% of people. This is the latest statistic from the Wall Street Journal, where it is noted this is up from 30% just two decades ago. In a recent paper, Declining Labor Force Attachment and Downward Trends in Unemployment and Participation, by economists Regis Barnichon and Andrew Figura divided those out of the labor force using a simpler standard: whether or not the person says they want a job. the paper is rather technical but understandable. It does lead us to a couple of questions. (1) How much unemployment by those not wishing employment can a prosperous nation absorb - and remain prosperous? (2) What is the critical mass whereby this "don't want a job" attitude toward work becomes an epidemic in society? The answers to both are unexplored.
There is another population out there not yet analyzed. This group, those people employed by in totally nonproductive venues. Many government workers can so be classified. So also are many in law and order. This is not to say they have no value; they absolutely do. They are usually high in relative intelligence. They protect us from another class in society – lawbreakers. But they don't actually produce goods or other measures of prosperity. One could posit that the Soviet Union collapsed partly under the weight of its unproductive human infrastructure - though it took three generations.
This new normal reflects the attitude of an endless summer for too many. It indicates that big success will not happen and that the proverbial “nose to the grindstone” of life is not in their thinking. It suggests a lower standard of living where there is a life that is viable. It diminishes, what for many of us, have long regarded as the natural progression from childhood to adulthood. It indicates a diminution of expectations in favor of an idyllic world of fantasy. It suggests a dangerous trend. This viewpoint and lifestyle assume that the country is so strong and so powerful it can and will sustain regardless. It suggests a good job should be delivered without personal effort. It implies a psychological and philosophical emptiness of massive proportions.
This can be concatenated with another particularly troubling attitude that comes from those youngsters wishing to start at the top. A freshly graduated business major graduated wants a job as CFO, having not the slightest experience. It reveals certainly the belief that little real skill is actually needed. This is naivety, or possibly stupidity. The other is that such folks cannot imagine themselves at the entry level. Too low a station for them! This is distressing.
A personal story: This is one of a young man (not so young anymore being 40+) who has a great background. Private schools, private university, masters degree, wealthy parents. Good looks, intelligent, socially adept. Does no sports, has no hobbies, has few friends. No CFO job, no big finance job, no executive position. He now folds napkins for an events firm and does light deliveries. Not a happy story.
In the old days, all religions extolled all to strive to contribute, to pray, and to believe, if only in a small way. Pride could be taken in achievement. In the new days, with religion deprecated, there are few guideposts, and few societal demands exacted upon anyone. Rather we have the new normal that if YOU want to earn more, then seek it, work hard for it, achieve it. But if you don't there is no penalty of any kind. Do nothing - that's OK. Do something - that's OK too.
How many non-contributors to the national welfare can a society sustain and still thrive? Unknown.
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