I'm 38 and I Can't Support Myself Anymore

Post by throwaway27448 » Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 1:21 PM UTC

seanclayton wrote: post #12

Ozzie_osman wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is how it has always been throughout history (and still is in most parts of the world). Individual is part of nuclear family, nuclear family is part of extended family, extended family is part of tribe, etc. When one part is in need, the others jump in to help.

> throughout history Ancient egypt? Roman times? Medieval times? Byzantine times? Pre-colonial Philippines? Pre-colonial America? I think it may have started in the late 1800s at the earliest. I would need a bit more evidence to be convinced that your model of individual to nuclear to extended etc has been a thing longer than a few centuries, vs the vast majority of human life experience being in nomadic hunter-gathe…

Post by inigyou » Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 1:22 PM UTC

everdrive wrote: post #76

I bristle a bit when it comes to discussing productivity an an ill that is _specific_ to capitalism. It's certainly an ill of capitalism as well, but I don't know many other systems where productivity is not valued and lack of productivity does not come with downsides. As another commenter has pointed out, the surest ally in this case is family. Not all families are tight, but families are largely the ones who will t…

Post by dd8601fn » Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 1:23 PM UTC

a-french-anon wrote: post #80

The idea that "hard work, discipline, frugality" are Calvinist and Protestant inventions may be the most preposterous thing I've read today. As if the rest of the world or previous eras valued self-indulgence and wasteful lavishness. Or that an unproductive member of society wasn't always scorned or at least viewed negatively by those having to produce.

Post by Taikonerd » Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 1:23 PM UTC

bestouff wrote: post #75

Taikonerd wrote: post #27

If you read this article and feel worried about your financial situation if you become disabled, you might look into long-term disability insurance (LTD). It's a policy where, if you become disabled to the point where you can't work, it pays out $X per month, every year until you're 65. And if you're partly disabled and have to cut back your hours, some policies compensate you for those lost wages. These LTD policies…

Wouldn't it be marvelous if these were mandatory and paid by state with huge scale benefits ?

Post by inigyou » Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 1:24 PM UTC

meta_gunslinger wrote: post #72

jckahn wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> For someone who has been born disabled, the conversation should be moved to the people who brought them to life and are responsible for their survival. Please explain exactly what you are suggesting or advocating for here.

I mean that the people who brought the person to life are responsible to make choice that will ensure theirs long term survival. e.g my grandmother had a brother who their brain stopped developing at a very young age (afaik 5), the parents ensured and my grandmother ensured that my uncle lived a full (but sadly difficult) life living and been taken care of by them and then my grandma after they passed.