Quote:
Originally Posted by woj
yea, it's a random statistic, but what does that statistic mean? why is it going up or down?
Look at 60s to 2000s in the US:
57.4 59.2 62.8 64.4
What does that mean? Did economy improve? or did our society become more materialistic so work became more desirable? Maybe fewer people became married in that time range, leading to more people seeking work? etc
Isn't it safe to say that work is generally undesirable (from that person's perspective)? So when someone works he does so because he is forced to... Do you honestly think that wife would rather work at some meaningless job whole day, or spend time with her kids? or would 60 year old guy rather retire at 60 or put in few more years of work in? There are of course exceptions, but generally you want less work, not more...
So like I said, it's debatable whether low or high "employment-population ratio" is "good"...
p.s.
it's not about "traditional family", that example was just used to illustrate a point... same point can be made about 60 year old guy that chooses between continuing to work or retiring...
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It is not random statistic. It is the most precise one that can be gotten regarding this issue. Far from random. It is already said what it describes. It is accurate because it is not subjective and has little variables. It gives the best overal picture. For example women may stay as housewives because there isn't jobs for them. Or there isn't jobs for them because they don't want it at the first place. Employment ratio doesn't care about this. It just measures the employment ratio, thus it is realiable indicator through times and between societies.
It isn't safe to say that work is meaningless or undesirable, far from that. Traditionally work has defined your social position, your income and brought meaning to life (not the only source, but important). This has changed somewhat; somewhat as a necessity (as so many haven't job).
About the wifes; why you assume the work she would be doing is meaningless? And the kids, excluding young children, they are at school during day. Work has social aspect too, of course being homemom can be too if moms hang out together. But, the one who brings the money, usually has the most influence to how it is used and who uses it.
This discussion in general is not about whether doing work is a good or bad thing. You can keep it as you want, but keeping not working as a good thing and at the same time requiring everyone making their living, doesn't equal. If people can't make their living; either their closest ones have to support them or society in general.