In such a rich country, inequality notwithstanding, forgoing work incurs much less risk and hence becomes more tolerable. A further, informal safety net has expanded outside of government: Women have flooded into the workforce over the past 75 years, many of whom are now bringing home paychecks to these men. This is not to say that unemployment is congenial. Quite the opposite: It still leads to worse physical and mental health. But it is not as harsh as it once was.
To expand on worsening mental health, it could entail men experiencing lower self-esteem when compared to their female counterparts at work and at home, resulting in lower drive and at times, temperament issues. While having incentives (mentioned in the article) is one approach, structural change is what sustains momentum in the long run.
But I’m also thinking: how would the introduction of AI at work address improve this phenomenon? The articles mostly talks about working class men, manly jobs, but I imagine soon a bunch of white collar works would also be out of jobs. How will those men be encouraged to seek out new purpose?
Instead of treating AI strictly as a threat, right now we should offer courses/advice on leveraging AI to bolster our individual weaknesses. Part of my current work and relation with AI feel like walking on a balance beam, ensure we both stay on board with me taking lead. We still need the human (aspect) to function in the real world. Coupled with this, there should be a stronger emphasis on cultivating critical thinking, resilience, and conscious decision-making.
[W]omen outside the labor force spend about six hours a day on caregiving and other unpaid work at home; their male counterparts spend fewer than three. The average man without a job devotes less than an hour to such purposes. What these men are spending time on is an unprecedented array of affordable, addictive goods and services… One recent study found that 52 percent of men ages 18 to 49 have an online sports-betting account.
I do wonder if men fall for addictions more easily too? If sports-gamblers are mostly men; is shopping considered an addiction for women? Getting into credit card debt, hoarding, becoming a shopaholic?