Congrats to the New York Times, for publishing one of the most trite articles on the current recession/depression yet. Lots of coverage of kids who have suffered cuts in their three-figure allowance. A subtle plea for sympathy, because competition with desperate job-seaking adults is making it harder for the kids to find work. And, of course, the article would be far from complete without the requisite piss-poor comparison:
Teenagers from working- and middle-class families are, of course, feeling similar -- if not more acute -- pressure.
And just how similar is the pressure?
Sumit Pal, 17, a senior at Information Technology High School in Queens, said his parents cut his $5 weekly allowance two months ago after the deli where his father works started to lose business. Sumit was interviewed two weeks ago for a job at a company that sponsors rock bands.
"I don't mind losing my allowance," he said. "It goes toward other things, like groceries."
Gotta love it. The $100 allowance that's cut to $60 is a comparable pressure to the $5 allowance that's cut to zero to make room for food for the family. Anyone else feel like puking?
(HT: Larry)
Yup.
But what I like is when media (esp. the BBC) tell us that in the recession - people will be losing their jobs! Gasp!
And buying less cars!
While I agree with your point, you have to understand that the NYT is writing for a market that heavily depends on those three-figure allowances.
New York state is hurting a lot because the stock brokers are losing their shirts. I don't sympathize much with the stock brokers, but the state may be in big trouble.