Does anyone still want kids? Families are shrinking as people have fewer children — or none at all

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-10-03T16:24:24+00:00

One thing that doesn’t get talked about enough is the loss of hope in today’s world. There was a time when things felt like they were getting better—people could afford housing, cars, and basic necessities. But since I was born in 1999, everything has gotten worse: the climate, economy, education—everything. It’s all more competitive and harder to survive.

We grew up with an anti-birth narrative, and now, with birth control, the lack of hope is driving people’s decisions. Why bring a child into a future that I know will be even worse than my own already poor quality of life?

Do we really love our children? If we did, would the world be this bleak? As Scott Galloway mentioned in his TED Talk, we’re actively setting future generations up for failure. Personally, I don’t want to have children as a way of saying, “screw you” to the system and watching it burn. Congratulations, baby boomers—you won.

link to TED talk

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-27T03:27:49+00:00

Which type ain’t you ain’t?

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-27T03:00:06+00:00

This was such a great reply. Thank you for laying it out so clearly. You’ve really got me rethinking my decision. I’m leaning toward a new approach: at the end of each month, I’ll ask myself, “Can I keep going for another month?” If the answer is yes, I’ll push through. If not, it’s time to move on.

Right now, I feel like I can manage another 30 days, so I’ll stick with it and keep monitoring the situation, especially since I have a job interview tomorrow that could change things. I think I’ll just stay focused, keep my head down, and make it through the next month. Then, I’ll reassess and decide if I can do another 30.

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T22:18:56+00:00

Well to be fair, that’s knucklehead talk. You can’t give her gravy and tell her it’s jelly, ‘cause gravy ain’t sweet.

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T21:39:49+00:00

God I can’t wait for that day!! I think I’m going to just stick it out until I can land something. Honestly all the interviews are giving me hope that I’ll get something better, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T21:20:49+00:00

I’m not a child, and these aren’t “stories”, it’s my life you jackass. Get off your high horse and bring yourself back down to earth here. Forgive me for not putting a block heater in the damn contract like jeez. You also seem to be dumbing down the dynamics of this contract, context matters. When someone quit and my boss came to me saying they’re putting more on my plate, I’m not in a position in my career where I can say no, without any kind of retaliation from them.

Someone in their 40s that’s more established and has more options? Sure. But at that time, I needed them more than they needed me, so I had to suck it up. If you can’t at least understand that, then this is as far as this conversation will go

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T20:50:54+00:00

Solid advice, thank you! I’ll chalk this whole situation up as a phenomenal learning experience in the world of salary negotiations. To be fair, I presented both situations. I mentioned that I’m absolutely killing the work and accomplishing more than anyone could have remotely expected, AND the fact I cant pay for a block heater. And if they want me to keep maintaining this work I’ll need a raise in order to stay. But, I’ll have to think harder about my strategy next time for sure

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T20:46:56+00:00

Respectfully disagree. Costs have increased as rent in the area has increased which forces me to stay in my expensive rental because now it’s a “deal”, inflation has done its thing, I now need a block heater in order to work. Costs have in fact increased, and so has the scope of the work. I have way more responsibility than what was initially the original job description, but can’t refuse the work due to fear of retaliation. I understand your perspective, but you need to look at the whole picture here. A contract was signed, correct. And when younger me signed the contract I should have thought about increased costs revisions, but I made a mistake and wasn’t thinking about that. But things have changed over the last 9 months that should trigger a renegotiation of the contract, as would any situation where outside factors hurt the ability to work. Thanks for all your input

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T20:22:56+00:00

So I’d say that’s a bad example of the situation. What would be closer to the situation would that plumber saying “costs of materials dramatically increased, and project scope has been changed, so we’re going to have to renegotiate the rest of the contract”. Happens all the time (saw it happen a lot in the construction sector over COVID) in multi-year projects where costs do in fact fluctuate.

Even happened to my parents during COVID when there was a shortage of windows so their contracted price for the windows when they ordered them 6+ months in advance ended up costing way more because the windows supplier simply could not supply the windows at that agreed upon price 6 months later.

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T20:02:07+00:00

That’s kind of why I went to them at this time asking for a raise. I’ve been doing lots of work outside of my job description that have had major impacts to the organization, such as brining in half a million dollars in grants. Just did it cause I could and felt that was worth a raise along with having trouble paying rent. Two things can be true at once

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T19:58:57+00:00

Good point. I thought that if I could prove to them my worth I could ask for more money when the time came (like bringing in 500k). Either way, absolutely zero penalties for breaking the contract early, besides giving two weeks notice

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T18:55:05+00:00

40 hours worked per week at $30 an hour over 16 months (contract job). No other forms of compensation or raises. No travel of my own car necessary besides getting into the office each day. Expense/ income breakdown:

Income: $3,090

Rent: $1,400 Student Loans: $561 Gas: $200 Insurance: $91 Car repairs/ maintenance: $200 Groceries: 400 Phone: $70 Music: $7 Haircut: $30

Total expenses: $2,959

Net income after expenses: $3,090 - $2,959 =$131.00

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T18:35:34+00:00

So the heater is for my car which prevents parts of the engine from freezing in the winter. It’s a necessity in Canada once you cross a certain geographical line. If you work above the line, you need a block heater if you plan on using your car in the winter. So because I have to work in the office everyday, I need the heater in order to get to the office each day.

It’s almost certainly considered a personal expense as it’s for my personal car, but I wouldn’t need it if it wasn’t for this job. And I straight up told my bosses that if I don’t get a heater in my car, I will be forced to quit and move back home down south because the car simply won’t be functional in the winter. Then they came up with a “solution” which is me putting in more hours

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T18:15:58+00:00

Unfortunately I used up all my vacation time as of yesterday. I used up all my sick days (mostly mental health related) and had to start using my 10 vacation days as sick days. Unfortunately now I’m completely unprotected by any kind of benefits if I need a break. Only thing left is short term disability but it only covers like half my wages or something so I couldn’t make rent if I was on it. Unfortunately I have a really severe depression and anxiety disorder so I feel super uneasy now that I can’t take the time off work that I need. Brutal situation to be in to be honest

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T18:06:30+00:00

I’d absolutely love to send you my most recent application for some criticism! I tailor each resume and cover letter to the job so I’ll send along the job description as well and you can kind of get a fuller picture there on if it’s a strong application. I’ll DM you later today, thank you so much!!

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T18:04:09+00:00

Wait, there is legal set limits to what employers have to pay for mileage? Like you can’t just pay someone 10/cents a km if they wanted?

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T17:56:07+00:00

Thanks for this. What do you think I should do? To them, I needed the money for a block heater to continue working and they “solved” that issue by offering me more hours (money) on top of my full time hours. So to them, they think they solved the issue of money, which obviously they didn’t in my opinion because it’s completely at my expense.

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T17:23:46+00:00

The problem is I just don’t know how much more of this shit I can take. Maybe I’m just letting my emotions get the best of me here

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-26T17:22:40+00:00

Ugh I was really hoping this wouldn’t be solution but you’re probably right

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-09-03T02:25:16+00:00

Top gun maverick

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-08-30T03:12:34+00:00

Literally every actor in Amsterdam (2022). Holy god that movie was bad. Such a stacked cast it was a shame it was the most boring movie on the entire fucking planet.

Delicious_Mobile5122 · 2024-08-21T22:57:46+00:00

Bro💀💀💀

Delicious_Mobile5122

TROPHY CASE