The mistreatment of impoverished people is not uncommon in the United States, where those going through the McDonald’s drive-thru are incredibly impatient with the people making their food.
“It’s not that hard to make French fries,” or “Why isn’t the counterperson smiling? If she doesn’t like her job, she should get a different one,” are common thoughts by such people.
Sometimes, it is that hard to make French fries. When there are eight people in line waiting for food in the dining area, five more people waiting in the drive-thru (because let’s face it – this is America, where 60 percent of adults are overweight or obese) and attitude all around, it can get tiring.
Not to mention the fact that some people working in the fast food industry or some other minimum wage job have countless troubles. Many are trying to raise children on a measly salary, living paycheck to paycheck and worrying about how bills will be paid.
Living on minimum wage in the U.S. is nearly impossible, especially for single-parent families or those with multiple children. Many conservatives rail against welfare, calling those who receive money or food stamps from the government lazy or stupid.
As an example, the minimum wage in Michigan is $7.40, and someone working 40 hours a week for an entire year would earn $15,392 before taxes or any sick leave. If rent, electric and water totaled $500 a month (which is a low estimate), that leaves only $9,392 per year for food, clothing and car expenses.
For families with multiple children, that amount of money leaves no room to breathe – much less attend higher education in an effort to better themselves. Worse yet, most time is spent working at a job where customers are impatient, rude and judgmental of people attempting to survive and support their families.
There seems to be few options for those who find themselves in such a position without welfare. Getting an education is normally out of the question, because this takes time that could be spent making more money. Often, even those who get financial aid still cannot afford to go to school if they have no way of putting their children in daycare.
Impoverished children also have difficulty breaking the cycle. Although getting Pell grants or other financial aid for college can be possible for children coming from poor families, many of these children have difficulty doing well in school. With parents often working more than 40 hours a week, little attention can be given to how well these kids are doing in school.
Without someone at home checking on homework or encouraging children to push themselves, grades can fall and motivation withers. They see how their parents are living and feel like there is no alternative for them.
Often, they are right. On average, children are within one income bracket of their parents when they become adults. With those kinds of odds, it’s easy to see why many feel discouraged about their own futures.
We must remember that people working in low-income jobs have struggles and feelings like the rest of us. Next time you go through the drive-thru, try to be a little more patient instead of treating the food service worker like an animal.
