I’m not sure what to call it but as a firefighter, I’ve seen my fair share of challenges, but nothing quite compares to the uphill battle facing today’s young adults. We’re talking about a generation stepping into a world where the cost of living has skyrocketed while wages have barely budged or just not keeping up. Remember when rent was affordable? Now, what used to cost $700 has doubled or even tripled, just for a modest apartment. Don’t let me get started on buying a house….
Food prices? Through the roof. Car loans and insurance premiums? Climbing higher every day. Yet, even as everything else gets more expensive, wages have remained stagnant. Sure, there are job opportunities out there, but it often takes working two or three jobs just to get by, and that’s without even thinking about supporting a family.
I have colleagues at the fire station who risk their lives on every shift, yet they can’t afford their own place and have to room with others or stay with their parents even longer. Think about that…. first responders, essential to our safety, struggling to make ends meet. It’s a harsh reality.
I’ve also seen it firsthand on recent calls. Young adults are under immense pressure, trying to navigate a world that’s far different from what their parents knew. Some are staying with their parents because they have no choice. Being on your own, whether in college or starting a job, is a daunting task in today’s environment.
Our country’s minimum wage is a joke, not nearly enough to live on. I genuinely believe we’re in some sort of recession or depression, even if people don’t want to admit it. It’s easy to point fingers, blame the current administration, the previous one, or the aftermath of the COVID 19 pandemic. But the truth is, young adults today are stepping into a world that’s far different from the one their parents knew.
