Recession: A Return to Tradition?

[legion]

So with the recession, I've had two friends whose wives have lost jobs, and opted to stay home with the kids and not look for a job.

Is this a trend?

[strupgolf]

News info study today said that "contract workers" will make up almost 40% of the work force in the next 20 years. What that means is that those workers will have no benefits, etc. I can see it coming. Part timers, no benefits, 20 hour weeks. Sad.

[gtc]

Hopefully. There are way too many kids growing up in daycares, IMO.

[TheMentat]

Interesting...

I wonder now much influence this phenomenon has on the reported employment numbers. Of course, fewer working people would probably mean less money to be spent in the economy in the short run. However, perhaps the job market isn't as bad as the headline numbers would indicate?*

* disclaimer: these are simply the musings of a self-described chronic optimist

[jyl]

More parents choosing to care for kids rather than look for work would decrease the reported (headline) unemployment rate. That number of persons would be subtracted from both the numerator (unemployed) and the denominator (labor force) which would reduce the fraction (unemployment rate).

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by strupgolf

News info study today said that "contract workers" will make up almost 40% of the work force in the next 20 years. What that means is that those workers will have no benefits, etc. I can see it coming. Part timers, no benefits, 20 hour weeks. Sad.

Bingo.

Remember GWB's quote regarding the woman who was working three part-time jobs (with no benefits)? "Uniquely American".

That speaks (or spoke) volumes.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by jyl

More parents choosing to care for kids rather than look for work would decrease the reported (headline) unemployment rate. That number of persons would be subtracted from both the numerator (unemployed) and the denominator (labor force) which would reduce the fraction (unemployment rate).

Nope, They will continue to collect unemployment benefits until they run out.

Nobody is going to lose job, and decide not to collect.

[jyl]

Yeah, I have a hard time thinking there is actually a trend of women choosing to stay home rather than look for work.

[ruf-porsche]

Originally Posted by legion

So with the recession, I've had two friends whose wives have lost jobs, and opted to stay home with the kids and not look for a job.

Is this a trend?

Actually more men are losing their jobs because of this recession. I'm a stay at home dad right now. I take care of our two childs during the day. I love saying to the kids, wait until mommy come home, you're in big trouble.

LOL

Originally Posted by TheMentat

Interesting...

I wonder now much influence this phenomenon has on the reported employment numbers. Of course, fewer working people would probably mean less money to be spent in the economy in the short run. However, perhaps the job market isn't as bad as the headline numbers would indicate?*

* disclaimer: these are simply the musings of a self-described chronic optimist

It's worse. The national average is just that an average. In some States and Cities and field such as construction the numbers are much worse.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by dad911

Nope, They will continue to collect unemployment benefits until they run out.

Nobody is going to lose job, and decide not to collect.

Like you point out, they do have a job. It's called unemployment.

Nice to get paid to stay home...now for 79 (?) weeks, here in the Golden State. That's good use of federal bailout money. What's that adage about teaching a (wo)man to fish? Apparently the powers that be haven't heard it.

[Jim Bremner]

If I was running for POTUS,

Besides having a proof reader.


I would have a HUGE tax credit for family's with PRE-teen kids at home that if one parent stayed home with the kids they would receive the credit.

LONG term I think that the jails would be less crowded, as well as we would have a better society

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Like you point out, they do have a job. It's called unemployment.

Nice to get paid to stay home...now for 79 (?) weeks, here in the Golden State. That's good use of federal bailout money. What's that adage about teaching a (wo)man to fish? Apparently the powers that be haven't heard it.

I know two people personally who have been actively looking for work over a year already (that's 52 weeks) with nothing other than part-time or temporary crap paying a fraction of what they made previously. One's benefits run out I think in three months, the other I think goes until December. That's not really all that great for them.

I can't understand why someone would feel the need to pick on people in these sorts of predicaments - it's like beating up on a disabled kid. What's the point?

I think trying to get people back on their feet is about the best thing government CAN spend money on, if it's going to spend money... IMHO it should be going further by extending massive tax credits to businesses that permanently hire full-time employees (with benefits) right now in order to give incentives for job creation. I've heard a couple of programs in this area, but they're very half-hearted efforts and most businesses don't even know they exist.

People need to get back to work at meaningful jobs, for real salaries before we've got any chance of a recovery. This is absolutely crucial.

[ruf-porsche]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Like you point out, they do have a job. It's called unemployment.

Nice to get paid to stay home...now for 79 (?) weeks, here in the Golden State. That's good use of federal bailout money. What's that adage about teaching a (wo)man to fish? Apparently the powers that be haven't heard it.

Unemployment is not a JOB. As the word so clearly illustrate, un (meaning not) employed. The unemployment benefits that I am receiving were paid into the state unemployment fund by my previous employer.

It's not like I'm having a great time during this period. We had to cut back on our life style in order to survive this recesion.

I agreed with Jeff statement "I can't understand why someone would feel the need to pick on people in these sorts of predicaments - it's like beating up on a disabled kid. What's the point?"

Anyone could one day become a part of the unemployed.

[Jim Richards]

Perhaps Chris is longing for the days when husbands came home from work and the little woman is all dressed up, the kids are clean and obedient, and dinner is ready to hit the table.

[turbo6bar]

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

I would have a HUGE tax credit for family's with PRE-teen kids at home that if one parent stayed home with the kids they would receive the credit.

LONG term I think that the jails would be less crowded, as well as we would have a better society

Makes too much sense, friend. The worst action is the one we take: subsidies for welfare mom's that produce offspring into a dysfunctional/nonexistent family structure, while squeezing the ones who are productive.

I believe too much emphasis is placed on a creating a more productive society as opposed to a better society. Sometimes more is not better.

PoP, what good is there extending tax credits for jobs, when demand for services and goods is not there? Statistics suggest supply greatly exceeds demand for labor AND goods.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by turbo6bar

Sometimes more is not better.

Replace "Sometimes" with "Often times."

[Oh Haha]

I am also laid off right now. The difference in my case is that I could get called back at any time.

While I am off I am helping out with the kids so that my wife can work more on her "hobby" that has turned into more of a business. My wife has been home with both kids, at our choosing, since our daughter was born.

I am also searching for a new career or at least a job with benefits. I don't enjoy getting UE but I have no choice. The bills must be paid. I was lucky enough to have had a job for 18 years that paid well and that I really liked. That ended in Feb.

I'm sorry that some of you think that we are sitting on our butts not working.

I have sent out over 135 applications with 4 return calls.

We are doing our best to maintain a positive postion trough this so that we can keep focused on our goals that have been re-set for us.

We have also cut back on extras to build in some financial cushion. And, yes, the 911 may have to go. Sad, but life isn't all fun.

[legion]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Perhaps Chris is longing for the days when husbands came home from work and the little woman is all dressed up, the kids are clean and obedient, and dinner is ready to hit the table.

Nice strawman.

I asked if this was a trend, which next to no one has answered.

[Oh Haha]

Chris,I think it IS a trend but one that is being "forced" on some families due to the economic times in some states. My Mom was home and my Dad worked when I was growing up so I am a bit biased but I think it is good if one parent can be at home.

Obviously, I live in Michigan which sucks for jobs right now. Like I stated in my post we CHOSE for my wife to stay home when I was working. We felt it was better and honestly cheaper for her to stay home versus driving 60 miles a day PLUS paying for daycare for 2 kids. When my company pulled out of the area we were already living well with our means.

[The Gaijin]

Originally Posted by turbo6bar

Makes too much sense, friend. The worst action is the one we take: subsidies for welfare mom's that produce offspring into a dysfunctional/nonexistent family structure, while squeezing the ones who are productive.

I believe too much emphasis is placed on a creating a more productive society as opposed to a better society. Sometimes more is not better.

PoP, what good is there extending tax credits for jobs, when demand for services and goods is not there? Statistics suggest supply greatly exceeds demand for labor AND goods.

I too agree with you guys.

And as Obama & Co. drives the coming tax increases lower and lower into real middle class territory, you are going to see more and more of this. Work yourself into a higher tax bracket? You might as well stay home and watch the kids..