Society on the Decline: Disturbing Behaviors We’re Accepting as Normal

All societies change and adapt, but sometimes, that change isn’t for the better. Sometimes cultures start to normalize things that shouldn’t be happening. 

Entry Level Experience

Young entry-level worker learning from an older male colleague.
Photo Credit: Ground Picture via Shutterstock.com.

At one point, entry-level meant just that: entry. People started their careers with entry-level jobs and learned on the job. 

Now, all too many companies require years of experience for so-called entry-level positions. 

“This has been normalized as far as I can remember when I started my career,” shared one user. “What I did notice is that they seemed to have moved that bar to 10 years in more and more cases,” they added. 

“I feel a lot of this is poor leadership who doesn’t know how to hire people with potential and train them,” said another. 

Exploiting Your Children

Someone filming a young child with their phone.
Photo Credit: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A via Shutterstock.com.

One person hates that parents exploit their children for financial gain. 

“Shoving a camera in your kid’s face for content,” they responded, highlighting the new trend where parents post everything about their kids’ lives online. 

The comment resonated with users, receiving nearly 5000 upvotes and a gold award. 

“The “family” genre of YouTube channels for lack of a better way to describe it — basically turning every aspect of your kids’ lives into monetizable videos — really gives me the ick,” added another. 

Food Prices

A woman holding a paper bag full of groceries smacking her head as if she's forgotten something.
Photo Credit: Krakenimages.com via Shutterstock.com.

Hard hitting inflation at the grocery store stretches budgets across the country. People can barely afford to eat. With climate catastrophe on the horizon, it’s unlikely to change. 

Over Working Without Compensation

tired senior woman working on the computer.
Photo Credit: Ground Picture via Shutterstock.com.

America’s toxic work culture tells us that if we aren’t working, we’re doing it wrong. Working ungodly hours (sometimes even for free!) has become so normalized in our culture that some folks don’t even see it as a problem. 

“I hate unpaid OT,” stated one user.  “I used to get shamed into it at my old job. The whole “we all have to pitch in and make some sacrifices” line is disgusting.”

Extra Work in General

Stressed looking business man surrounded by mountains of paperwork.
Photo Credit: Stokkete via Shutterstock.com.

Another user said the idea that we must always go above and beyond to prove ourselves at work needs to end. 

“The idea that there is an implicit need to stand out and the only way to do that is to prove your dedication to your company is toxic and the direct result of an abusive relationship between employees and exploiters,” they explained. 

We used to be able to go to work and do our jobs. Now it’s expected that we do two or three jobs in the same hours without any additional pay. 

Profits Above All Else

Smiling man in a suit holding a wad of cash and pointing to it with his other hand.
Photo Credit: Ground Picture via Shutterstock.com.

In the last thirty or so years, society shifted to worship profits above all else. Companies must constantly grow and increase profits; for consistency is frowned upon in this new world. 

“Companies seek ever-growing profits. Making $100 million two years in a row means failing because the line always needs to go up,” said one user. “Meanwhile, every aspect of life is getting worse,” they added. 

Hustle Culture

Mom at a computer with two kids trying to work. She looks stressed
Photo Credit: Kaspars Grinvalds via Shutterstock.com.

Americans take work culture to the extreme. If they aren’t toiling at the office for untold hours, they come home to work on side hustles. 

There’s nothing wrong with building a business for yourself outside of work, but we’ve turned a venture only a few hard-core individuals chose to pursue into a must-do for society.

Hustle Culture created the idea that you deserve to be poor if you aren’t dedicating every moment to making money. 

“We shouldn’t be attempting to monetize every waking moment of our day,” expressed one user. 

“The idea that some people have to hustle to make rent or pay for groceries is terrible. And the idea that those don’t hustle to do that same are lazy is ridiculous,” replied another. 

America’s Poverty Trap

hands holding an empty wallet to represent poverty
Photo credit: StanislauV via Shutterstock.com.

We often think of third world countries when we talk about poverty, but it’s thriving right here in the US.

Here’s the truth about America’s Poverty Trap.

Data Collection

man analyzing big map of data
Photo Credit: NicoElNino via Shutterstock.com.

We balk at giving our personal information to the government but gladly hand it over to giant corporations without a second thought. 

One user said, “Mega corporations like Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc. amassing an enormous amount of data about us and selling it to third parties,” is a huge problem that we’re all okay with normalizing. 

“When corporations try to tell you they can’t run without secretly stealing your private data, they are lying. They want to convince you it’s necessary so you won’t make them stop,” explained another. 

Tipping

a five dollar bill, some singles, and some change on a plate representing a tip at a restaurant.
Photo Credit: Trudy Wilkerson via Shutterstock.com.

Many agree that tipping culture has gotten out of hand. At one point, we only tipped a select few workers who provided us with a service. Now, every worker we interact with has their hand out demanding a tip. 

We understand the worker’s perspective; no one makes enough money to survive anymore. But many users said they hate that tipping has become so normalized.

“Employers should pay the employees, not the customers,” stated one user, explaining why they don’t like tips. 

“I hate tipping, not because I don’t feel like they deserve it, but I hate being put in a position to decide their wages, like I’m just here to eat, man. Can you just pay your workers better?” asked another. 

Child Beauty Pageants

Nervous child with a microphone in her face at a beauty pageant.
Photo Credit: Denise Andersen via Shutterstock.com.

Honey Boo Boo normalized child beauty pageants; nothing good has ever come from them. The despicable practice normalizes the sexualization of young girls and instills the idea that their only value comes from their looks. 

“They’re an American tradition. But not a proud one,” lamented one user. 

Some hoped that the insidious practice would disappear rather than become more mainstream. “How are they normalized? Everyone thinks they’re creepy,” they stated. 

People Can’t Afford Kids

Sleeping infant wrapped in light blue bear blanket on a blue grey background.
Photo Credit: Tikhonova.photography via Shutterstock.com.

Even people who want children can’t afford to have them. When basic biology gets put off, you know society is on the decline. Here’s the truth about why young folks aren’t having kids: they can’t afford it. 

Generational Poverty

A woman on the street in Portland holds up a sign saying she's a single mom and needs help.
Photo Credit: Victoria Ditkovsky via Shutterstock.com.

Poverty is a generational problem. Here’s how folks get trapped in cycles of generational poverty

The Outrageous Cost of Living

An oblivious woman shrugs her shoulders like she doesn't know and doesn't really care.
Photo credit: Prostock-studio via Shutterstock.com.

With rampant inflation, the cost of living is higher than ever. Here’s how much it costs Americans to live on average

People Want To Believe Lies

A woman has her hand on her chin and her eyes looking off to the left with a look of confusion on her face.
Photo Credit: Krakenimages.com via Shutterstock.com.

Even the smartest among us fall for these everyday lies
 

Source: Reddit

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