So odd to see my life in an article
Apr. 25th, 2004 02:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
novapsycheThe Working Poor
I don't "qualify" as poor--I make too much for a family of one. However, if I weren't living with my parents and getting such a sweet deal ($300 for a room, utilities and board included), I'd be in dire straits. Also, my father qualifies for food benefits, and he visits a pantry at least once a month.
My family has been poor all of my life. We were on food stamps for many years (before welfare was reformed). There was no question of being ashamed--it was a fact of life. We needed those stamps to live.
When I just got out of college, I did qualify as poor enough to get food stamp benefits. Again, there was no sense of shame. And it's amazing how $150 of stamps can feed one person.
There is a part of me that is frustrated--I have my bachelor's degree, aren't I supposed to be out of this cycle already? Education was supposed to me my ticket out of poverty. But here I sit in my apartment in the ghetto, pacifying myself with the few things that get me through my situation: my computer (what would I do without Internet access), my television and my stereo. These things make me feel less poor, but I'm as aware as anyone that that's an illusory feeling.
I don't "qualify" as poor--I make too much for a family of one. However, if I weren't living with my parents and getting such a sweet deal ($300 for a room, utilities and board included), I'd be in dire straits. Also, my father qualifies for food benefits, and he visits a pantry at least once a month.
My family has been poor all of my life. We were on food stamps for many years (before welfare was reformed). There was no question of being ashamed--it was a fact of life. We needed those stamps to live.
When I just got out of college, I did qualify as poor enough to get food stamp benefits. Again, there was no sense of shame. And it's amazing how $150 of stamps can feed one person.
There is a part of me that is frustrated--I have my bachelor's degree, aren't I supposed to be out of this cycle already? Education was supposed to me my ticket out of poverty. But here I sit in my apartment in the ghetto, pacifying myself with the few things that get me through my situation: my computer (what would I do without Internet access), my television and my stereo. These things make me feel less poor, but I'm as aware as anyone that that's an illusory feeling.
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(no subject)
Date: 2004-04-25 07:36 pm (UTC)I had all four wisdom teeth out (two were impacted) at a hospital, overnight stay, and all for free.
But the American situation is well known, including how expensive the health system is.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-04-26 03:18 am (UTC)Can you find a job doing ANYTHING with this degree?
(no subject)
Date: 2004-04-26 05:45 pm (UTC)I miss academia. I still entertain thoughts of attending George Mason University for a master's in American Studies. With a master's, I'd have the minimum one would need to teach (to be an instructor). I also have dreams of going for my M.F.A. As long as I can't come to a decision, I'll be stuck in the proverbial mud.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-04-29 03:31 am (UTC)How bout a teaching certificate?