22% of working age men are not in the labor force

[Smyrna]

So…what has changed that may help answer why 22% of working age men are not in the labor force?

In 1960, the percentage of families without the birth father in the home was 1 percent.

Today;

There are an estimated 72.2 million fathers in the United States
There are 24.6 million fathers in a married two-person household with kids younger than 18 years of age.
There are 2 million single fathers in the United States.
17% of all single-parent households are single fathers
The breakdown of single fathers 44% divorced 33% never married 19% separated 4.2% widowed.
The annual income of single fathers is about $50,000.
33% of all children (24.7 million) live in a home without their birth father (U.S. Census Bureau).

A father displays to his sons how to be a responsible man. When the father isn’t present, the net result is an increase in irresponsible males.

[Toll_Collector]

@Liberty323

I agree. It sounds like a slow death to me. I can’t imagine not having agency or purpose in life, and just seeking food and entertainment. Slobs!

Absolutely. I’m fascinated by those that choose that lifestyle because it limits them. You also have to be ok with being a burden. As lazy as I am myself, and someone that would never work an hour of overtime voluntarily, I will do everything in my power to be self sufficient and not be a burden to someone. It’s your life!! Why would you want to be a slob? With no potential, and no future. Live like a slob, die as a slob. It fascinates me.

[7426k]

This is not a crisis - it’s a reflection of the absurd success of the US economy since WW2. Young people are spending more years getting education (therefore entering the labor force later). Older people are able to retire younger (therefore leaving the labor force earlier). Add to that the large number of people working in positions that they may or may not report as employment (gig jobs, uber drivers etc…) and the story is one of success.

[Camp]

Could always be worse.

[Gaius]

@Eagle-Keeper

This is a very interesting statistic. It mentions ages 16-64 and that this percentage has doubled from what it was in 1960:

MSN

A new study by the Center for Immigration Studies reveals a worrying trend: U.S.-born men, particularly those of working age (16-64), are increasingly leaving the workforce. According to Fox Business, since 1960, the number of native-born men not participating in the labor force has more than doubled, growing from 11.3% to 22.1% in 2024.

We should be giving them more money.

[Toll_Collector]

@7426k

This is not a crisis - it’s a reflection of the absurd success of the US economy since WW2. Young people are spending more years getting education (therefore entering the labor force later). Older people are able to retire younger (therefore leaving the labor force earlier). Add to that the large number of people working in positions that they may or may not report as employment (gig jobs, uber drivers etc…) and the story is one of success.

Although I agree with you, I had to laugh at the last part. Gig jobs. I wouldn’t put that so close to the word success. I’d rather shovel ■■■■ at a horse stable than to work a gig job.

[7426k]

Oh I would rather chew my fingers off than do most of those jobs. But while the pay is low I think many people really value the independence and the option to work whenever they want.

[peek-a-boo]

@Toll_Collector

I’m lazy myself. I’ll take a pay cut just for an easier job. But this goes beyond that. As lazy as I am, I’ve never even contemplated that. Or even given it a second thought. Once I turned 18/19 the first thing on my mind was to be self supporting. Then be as lazy as you want.

I lived at home since I was 26!! But was able to live on my own at 19 if I wanted to. At some point, first and foremost you have to cross the barrier between being supported and being able to support yourself. Once you can support yourself, do whatever you want.

I was out of the house right out of high school, at 17 years old.

[Samm]

In our youth, living at home past age 18 was an unknown concept.

[RTchoke]

@peek-a-boo

@Toll_Collector

I’m lazy myself. I’ll take a pay cut just for an easier job. But this goes beyond that. As lazy as I am, I’ve never even contemplated that. Or even given it a second thought. Once I turned 18/19 the first thing on my mind was to be self supporting. Then be as lazy as you want.

I lived at home since I was 26!! But was able to live on my own at 19 if I wanted to. At some point, first and foremost you have to cross the barrier between being supported and being able to support yourself. Once you can support yourself, do whatever you want.

I was out of the house right out of high school, at 17 years old.

Same here. Had to have my dad sign for my apartment after I graduated because I was no where 18 yet.

[bigtwnvin]

@Samm

In our youth, living at home past age 18 was an unknown concept.

A look back. June 1969, my HS Graduation day.
My Dad: “Well, what’s your plan”?
Me: Uhhhh
Dad: Well here’s your options:

1. Lay brick with your uncles and me.
2. Go down to the mill and get on the labor gang. (We lived in Pittsburgh).
3. Enlist in the Army before you get your draft notice.
4. Go to school
   Dad concluded: “Pick one or more boy, otherwise pitch a tent somewhere” !
   I kinda did all four but not in that order.
   Lost our Dad when I was 19. Miss that man every day. He was a WWII veteran with a jacket that reads like a history of the war in Europe. Very pragmatic and to the point.

[peek-a-boo]

@bigtwnvin

A look back. June 1969, my HS Graduation day.
My Dad: “Well, what’s your plan”?
Me: Uhhhh
Dad: Well here’s your options:

1. Lay brick with your uncles and me.
2. Go down to the mill and get on the labor gang. (We lived in Pittsburgh).
3. Enlist in the Army before you get your draft notice.
4. Go to school
   Dad concluded: “Pick one or more boy, otherwise pitch a tent somewhere” !
   I kinda did all four but not in that order.

I also graduated HS in June 1969. I couldn’t wait to get out of the house and be on my own.

[bigtwnvin]

Back to a previous poster. The quoted statistics smack of pure laziness and there’s no excuse for it. Who do these worthless ■■■■■ think they’re kidding?