The Link Between Starvation Wages and High Crime

I belong to a Facebook group whose members, according to the group's name, are there to improve the city where we all reside. Recently, someone posted a poll asking members to vote on the causes of our current spike in criminal activity. Here are the top three responses:

1. Lack of good parenting
2. Unemployment
3. Lack of vocational and tech training, mentors, and tutoring.

*sigh*

I live in a city that's probably like a lot of cities in America. The population is 51 percent African American. There are a few dozen or so white families with old money. The middle class is dwindling and the young college graduates are leaving and making their lives elsewhere. Meanwhile, a smattering of progressive liberals fight against a large group of conservatives who are guided by their Christian ignorance and FOX-sourced fears. On a regular basis, I wonder why the hell I ever returned to my hometown.

When I read the top three reasons cited for the increase in crime, I became infuriated. I cannot understand why people choose to remain so completely out of touch with reality. Please allow me to address some of these "reasons" with a bit of education about the true source of this evil: Starvation Wages.

FACT ONE: People who earn "starvation wages" must often work two or even three jobs to make ends meet. This leads to one or both parents being frequently "absent" from the home because they're at work or they're too exhausted to parent when they are home. Teens are more likely to participate in criminal activity if there is not a strong parental presence. Additionally, education suffers because parent(s) are more concerned about meeting basic needs than Bobby's D in Algebra. Therefore, starvation wages lead to this "lack of good parenting" It's not because of laziness or selfishness that people are failing at parenting — it's because they're giving all their energy to providing.

I would also like to add that being overworked causes an incredible strain on the average human being. Those individuals who are overworked, sleep deprived, and stressed are more likely to "snap" and become irrational when placed in confrontational situations. This would show an increase in crimes involving physical assault, domestic abuse, and even homicide. Additionally, to relieve some of the stress, many starvation wage earners are more likely to turn to alcohol or drugs, both of which carry a correlation to criminal activity.

FACT TWO: Starvation Wages enslave people in poverty. People who earn starvation wages have no real concept of sustainable wealth, much less how to achieve it. They spend any additional money coming into the house on material items that quickly depreciate in value (designer handbags, sneakers, jewelry, cars, etc.) They view these items as status symbols and believe that such things will garner respect from others. While some assume that crimes are committed by such individuals in an effort to acquire such material possessions, that is very often incorrect. Since these material items rarely lack sufficient collateral for any type of financial emergency that presents itself, many starvation wage earners are left without any legal options to avert disaster and, instead, seek financial remedies by committing crimes like theft, burglary, drug dealing, and prostitution.

The disparity very few people look at is the one between public schools. Low income schools often lack the funding than the schools across town in more affluent neighborhoods receive. The technology disadvantage is tremendous. Even if poor schools get technological equipment, training for teachers is not in the budget and the equipment collects dust. For lower income students, this affects not only their very awareness of the opportunities available in technology, but if they are interested in this field, they are years behind their more privileged peers when applying for tech training programs. Without the same advantage to get into one of the few occupations that pays well and for which is being actively recruited, the children of starvation wage earners are doomed continue in the same cycle of poverty.

FACT THREE: When a person's contribution to their company is rewarded as though it has little value (i.e. minimum wage pay), it reinforces feelings of inferiority and resentment. Comedian Chris Rock said, "You know what that means when someone is paying you minimum wage? You know what your boss is trying to say? 'If I could, I'd pay you less. But it's against the law.'" Most starvation wage earners live in an emotional cloud of frustration, defeat, and hopelessness. Very often, this can lead one to believe there is "nothing to lose." Rather than continue plugging out a meager existence working constantly, this person will sometimes choose to participate in high risk behavior like gambling or even unlawful, criminal activity. They can become excessively frustrated on the unrewarding straight and narrow that the temptation of easy money becomes worth the risk of prison.

Not surprising is the reality that employees who do not feel valued are more likely to steal. Taking home supplies or products, padding the time card, and stealing cash are common causes for termination and can often lead to arrests being made.

While unemployment was number two of the possible reasons for crime, our current unemployment rate is slightly above the national average at 5.1 percent — nothing really alarming. Most folks are already working — in fact, quite a few are working too much. The problem isn't the need for more JOBS, which is the favorite pitch of most conservatives on the campaign trail. No, it's really a need for better wages. The Fight for $15 does not apply to cities like mine — it applies to places like New York City and Los Angeles with their astronomical costs of living. For most other places, the minimum wage would go to a little over $10 an hour which is quite reasonable considering had the minimum wage kept up with rising costs, we would be earning $22 an hour. The rebuttal we hear from most conservatives concerning bumping the minimum wage to something even slightly humane always centers around the impact on small business owners. I will let this quote from FDR end that argument, "No business which depends for its existence on paying its workers less than livable wages has any right to continue in this country." Your employees are the reason you can be a business owner. They provide the goods or services to your customers. If you can't afford to pay labor costs that are enough to give your workers the ability to afford a decent life, then don't start a business until you can. The last thing this country needs is more greed at the expense of the working poor.