posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 11:23 AM
by
Lou Michels
Men Behaving Badly
The New York Times today has an interesting article about the large number of middle-age men (loosely defined as 30-55) who have "dropped out" of the workforce because they can't find work that is as satisfying or as lucrative as their previous--and mostly vanished-- positions. The lead character in this story is a 53-year-old former steel worker looking for work that he considers to be neither demeaning nor underpaid. At 53 years old, he stays up late and sleeps until 11 a.m., plays the piano, reads histories and biographies, and writes unpublished westerns. "I have come to realize that my free time is worth a lot to me," he tells the Times, as he taps the equity in his home and draws down his 401K and family savings. His wife takes in piece work as a seamstress or baking to help them get by. Did I mention he is 53, not 13?
According to the article, there are a large number of the unemployed, particularly men, falling into this category who are not looking for work unless it meets particular standards of compensation and job satisfaction.
It's an interesting, albeit depressing article on a segment of the population that appears to have simply resigned itself to not working. The article also notes that the growth of federal and state subsidies, particular disability insurance, provide some incentive for this type of lifestyle.
Still, you have to wonder what's going to happen to these guys when their wives and girlfriends wake up or they become unable, rather than just unwilling, to work.