endangered species
by rantywoman
Since 1970, Americans have seen stagnating wages, longer working hours, and less stable employment, but also this:
The bottom line: Americans live longer, fuller lives, with greater conveniences and access to information, entertainment and educational opportunities that were unthinkable a generation ago. Despite the staggering cost of college education, for example, more Americans graduate than ever before. In 2012 for the first time, 30 percent of the population held a Bachelor’s degree.
http://www.salon.com/2012/10/24/is_the_middle_class_an_endangered_species/
Is it any wonder that so many Generation X women have ended up not having children and instead concentrating their resources on education, financial security, and, yes, entertainment?
thebitterbabe 
Even though my husband are better off than most Americans—we own (paying off) a rental income property, have no other debt, some savings/investments—in Los Angeles it feels like we are poor! Worries about a stable financial future and, to be fair, a weak maternal drive on my behalf= no kids.
Also, my husband is 34 and in the middle of career change from a fun, but low prospect career in an entertainment/media field to the more promising software/web based services sales and marketing. But I am 41! So it is now or never for me- which creates the financial aniexty! But I am would happy to adopt, so that gives us a little room/time.
But I have a friend who is 31, works in a somewhat low paying mental health field-her husband , 32, is working on developing a career in the film business (ie. no current financial stabilty)- she is pregnant and told me she just doent want to think about how much money she needs to raise a baby–so she just doesnt!!
But I run my own business so I am very aware of cash flow- ups and downs. I work hard, always have many pots cooking,(always say I have a plan A, B, C and even a D if needed!!) and sometimes make very good money. But the stability of a regular paycheck is not there!
I have some questions to Ranty and the others out there: Do people who have “jobs” feel secure? Do people who work at a known company, perhaps for 5 or more years, feel like they dont have to worry about money, that they are secure?
I have seen others buy homes/condo, have their entire families dependant on their company supplied heath care, etc., all of which is dependant on their current paycheck. (without, to my way of thinking, a back up plan.) Even people without mortgages and kids, seem to be able to spend quite freely and without worry. (not to say I dont spend myself–but usually spend carefully, and a night out spending $100 on drinks just doesnt happen for me-I know too many other ways to spend and make money off that $100!)
I am just wondering, because having never had a traditional “job”, I am guessing I would be always worried about getting laid off—but perhaps it is diferent on the “other side of the fence.”
Or maybe that is my overacting anxiety thinking!!
Thanks!
Samatha
Samantha–
I’ve never been one to blow $100 on drinks and dinner either and am always amazed when people do so!
Public sector jobs certainly offer more security, but when they change for the worse or you get burned out in them (common today with the attack on the public sector), you can feel trapped, and fear of being trapped in a job for security reasons is one of the things that made me wary of having kids.
Yes. Also that many males no longer want to be the provider for a family. Not saying that is wrong just there are consequences. And yes we have so many distractions maybe too many that can drive us off our path.