Post by amandarussell on Jul 8, 2011 16:28:07 GMT -5
Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America is an objective novel criticizing the employers of the Blue Collar work-force for underpaying their employees. While the minimum wage is set by the Federal Government, and the wages provide a lifestyle ‘above the poverty line,’ minimum wages hardly cover expenses unless the Blue Collar workers hold multiple jobs. Ehrenriech stated, "When someone works for less pay than she can live on… then she has made a great sacrifice for you, she has made a gift of some part of her abilities, her health, and her life." This quote truly represents that many low-wage workers might as well be working as charity. The amount the workers make is far less than they can afford, especially in well-trafficked tourist areas when rents soar to outrageous prices in the tourist season. Some of Barbara’s co-workers, such as Gail at the Hearthside restaurant, could barely afford to live with roommates. Some were even forced into living in their vehicles because of the ludicrous deposits on apartments, and the nightly fees of hotels. It seems that because of the expensive living conditions many Blue Collar workers experience, they are unable to move up in the workforce, which is why the minimum wage should be raised. It is simply unfair for workers to be unable to have proper housing and nutrition, and yet work more demanding jobs than most (i.e. The Maids, Merry Maids services).
When the Federal Government uses the phrase ‘above the poverty line,’ it means anyone who makes more than $10,830/year for a family of one. Considering the average rent for Ehrenreich was about $500 a month, this $10,830 a year would quickly dwindle to $4,830/year. With today’s food prices, one would expect to spend about $50 a week on food when buying the cheapest foods. That would leave the low-wage worker with $2,200/year to spend on other expenses. These figures do not include gasoline prices, car insurance payments, health insurance payments (which will soon be mandatory), or unexpected payments such as vehicle repairs. The extremely low amount of income is not enough to survive on for a prolonged period of time. Many go into debt, and face possible homelessness. Barbara Ehrenreich mentioned in Nickel and Dimed that if she had continued her research in one city for a year or so, she would have been unable to keep herself afloat alone because of the high cost of American living.
Not only is the Blue Collar lifestyle a daunting one, but it is one that drains a person of every dream they have. When there is no escape from the minimum wage work, no days off from work, and no way to climb up the social ladder alone, the work becomes life. It becomes a monotonous piece of the Blue Collar soul, in some cases. As Ehrenreich wondered, “If you hump away at menial jobs 360-plus days a year, does some kind of repetitive injury of the spirit set in?” In fact, it does. Throughout Nickel and Dimed, Ehrenreich continually suggests that low-wage employees lose much of their willpower and fighting spirit in the exhaustion and quiet brutality of the workplace. The hours of hard labor leave no time for anything other than sleep outside of the workplace. This becomes repetitive and, ultimately, fatal to the strength of dreams in a low-wage worker.
The inability to take care of one’s self, to escape the poverty of many Blue Collar workforces, and to continue to dream and to have willpower are strong reasons as to why the minimum wage should be higher.
When the Federal Government uses the phrase ‘above the poverty line,’ it means anyone who makes more than $10,830/year for a family of one. Considering the average rent for Ehrenreich was about $500 a month, this $10,830 a year would quickly dwindle to $4,830/year. With today’s food prices, one would expect to spend about $50 a week on food when buying the cheapest foods. That would leave the low-wage worker with $2,200/year to spend on other expenses. These figures do not include gasoline prices, car insurance payments, health insurance payments (which will soon be mandatory), or unexpected payments such as vehicle repairs. The extremely low amount of income is not enough to survive on for a prolonged period of time. Many go into debt, and face possible homelessness. Barbara Ehrenreich mentioned in Nickel and Dimed that if she had continued her research in one city for a year or so, she would have been unable to keep herself afloat alone because of the high cost of American living.
Not only is the Blue Collar lifestyle a daunting one, but it is one that drains a person of every dream they have. When there is no escape from the minimum wage work, no days off from work, and no way to climb up the social ladder alone, the work becomes life. It becomes a monotonous piece of the Blue Collar soul, in some cases. As Ehrenreich wondered, “If you hump away at menial jobs 360-plus days a year, does some kind of repetitive injury of the spirit set in?” In fact, it does. Throughout Nickel and Dimed, Ehrenreich continually suggests that low-wage employees lose much of their willpower and fighting spirit in the exhaustion and quiet brutality of the workplace. The hours of hard labor leave no time for anything other than sleep outside of the workplace. This becomes repetitive and, ultimately, fatal to the strength of dreams in a low-wage worker.
The inability to take care of one’s self, to escape the poverty of many Blue Collar workforces, and to continue to dream and to have willpower are strong reasons as to why the minimum wage should be higher.
