Recession Reminds Us to Get Back To Basics: Bubble Bourgeoisie Learns to ‘Do-It-Yourself’
December 26, 2008 by blackgirlgrown
Filed under economy, money
There is nothing like a recession to remind us of all the things we can do for ourselves, but don’t. It is past time to review need and wants. Froma Harrop writes: “Doing it yourself these days?” asks the Depression-era ad for bleach. It shows pampered hands wading in a tub full of laundry. There’s more doing-it-yourself in this Great Recession, as well. The economic downturn has stripped the bubble bourgeoisie of the funds required to employ an army of house cleaners, nannies, personal trainers, dog walkers and other hired helpers.
It was very 2005 to read of couples using a service to water the two tomato plants on their deck. And of teenage daughters being given their own private Pilates instruction.
For all but the richest, that level of personal assistance has crashed with the stock market and the popped real estate blister. Some outsourcers of chores are cutting out; others are cutting back. A few are reportedly trying to pass their own pay reductions down the employment chain. Not attractive.
This trend is very unfortunate for the providers of these services. Many lawn, housecleaning and child-care workers are immigrants, and their falling incomes are hurting economies in Central America and the Caribbean.
For their downwardly mobile patrons, however, the assumption of personal tasks can be character-building. Walking one’s dog is healthy exercise. And spending more time raising one’s own children can be good for the family. Continue Reading.
