Social Stratification and Personal Responsibility in the United States

Introduction: The Reality of Stratification

Social and income stratification in the United States has been a very real phenomenon over most of the country's history, but the focused attention it receives today far exceeds that of previous generations. This intensified scrutiny is due in large part to the twenty-four-hour news cycle and the increased ability of people to communicate and interact over the Internet and other media. While social and income stratification certainly has negative aspects, at least some degree of it is necessary. People must be accountable for their actions and choices, and while the ability to succeed in this country is open and available to most people, opportunity is not infinite and should not be handed out indiscriminately. This is as it should be.

Economic Necessity and Wage Structure

It may seem cold to suggest that social and income stratification is necessary, but it is. Even with the finite amount of opportunity that exists in the United States, there must be people who collect trash for the trash truck, who perform blue-collar work in difficult conditions, and so forth. This does not mean such workers should lack workplace protections and safety equipment. Conversely, there is a reason that fast food workers do not—and should not—earn anywhere close to fifteen dollars per hour. Doing so would disrupt economic equilibrium, and the minimum wage exists at its current level for a reason. Low-skill and low-wage jobs are structured as they are because it is relatively easy to replace workers who cannot or will not perform the work adequately.

Personal Choice and Economic Mobility

A reflexive response from those appalled by wage stratification is that people cannot raise families on minimum wage alone. However, this is not true. It can be done, though it requires hard choices and sacrifices. It demands an honest definition of what constitutes a "need" versus a "want." Even so, it should be noted that having children while unmarried, without a stable home or life, and without a job paying more than minimum wage is a poor decision. The crucial point is that sexual activity is a voluntary activity. Family planning is generally very inexpensive and can be as simple as using a condom that costs less than a dollar. To suggest this is unobtainable or unworkable on a large scale is simply not true.

The author is aware through recent news stories that half of all births occur outside of wedlock and that poorer populations tend to have more children than more affluent populations. Some automatically dismiss such observations as prudish or religiously motivated, but this is counterproductive. Religion need not be invoked at all; the concern is practical and empirical.

Conclusion: Accountability and Opportunity

The author is not attempting to appear heartless. The author is simply tired of hearing people complain about difficult circumstances while they make one or more terrible lifestyle choices—such as becoming pregnant too young, becoming pregnant outside of marriage, or otherwise failing to act like responsible adults. Business and market forces will pass over people who act with abandon and no regard for future consequences.

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