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Why I don't have a child: I don't have enough money Why I don't have a child: I don't have enough money
(3 days later)
My wages barely let me support myself, let alone a child, and has interfered with my dream of having a childMy wages barely let me support myself, let alone a child, and has interfered with my dream of having a child
Over the last few years I’ve been an outspoken advocate for raising wages and winning union rights for fast-food workers, and workers in other industries. As a fast-food worker myself, I know how hard it is to survive on near-minimum wage pay. I am a vocal member of the Fight for $15 and a union and I’m not afraid to demand better workplace conditions and pay. The one thing I’ve never talked about – until now – is how my low pay has interfered with my dream of having a child.Over the last few years I’ve been an outspoken advocate for raising wages and winning union rights for fast-food workers, and workers in other industries. As a fast-food worker myself, I know how hard it is to survive on near-minimum wage pay. I am a vocal member of the Fight for $15 and a union and I’m not afraid to demand better workplace conditions and pay. The one thing I’ve never talked about – until now – is how my low pay has interfered with my dream of having a child.
My story starts in Mississippi, where I grew up with my four siblings. I remember my parents having a hard time paying the bills. My dad was fired after being badly injured on the job. His unemployment led to depression and drug use, so my mom went to work full time to support us. My extended family was very important at this crucial time – my grandmother would get us ready and dressed for school and our uncle would drop us off.My story starts in Mississippi, where I grew up with my four siblings. I remember my parents having a hard time paying the bills. My dad was fired after being badly injured on the job. His unemployment led to depression and drug use, so my mom went to work full time to support us. My extended family was very important at this crucial time – my grandmother would get us ready and dressed for school and our uncle would drop us off.
I tried to help out, too. Around age 14 I started cleaning elementary schools. I was paid through a local youth program. I remember times when I chose not to visit my family in Milwaukee, or have fun with my cousins who lived there, because I wanted to stay in Mississippi to make money. From a young age, money impacted how and when I could do what I wanted to do. Now, it prevents me from even thinking about having a child. I tried to help out, too. Around age 14 I started cleaning elementary schools. I was paid through a local youth program. I remember times when I chose not to visit my family in Milwaukee, or have fun with my cousins who lived there, because I wanted to stay in Mississippi to make money. From a young age, money impacted how and when I could do what I wanted to do. Now, it prevents me from even thinking about having a child. 
I got married in my late 20s, which didn’t solve any of my financial issues. I remember not having nice clothes for job interviews, and struggling with the extra bus fare needed to commute to interviews for higher-paying jobs, which happened to be further from where we lived. My husband and I didn’t think about having children at first, because we knew we would need to get better jobs and finish our degrees before we could afford to raise a child. Several years passed, and we continued to struggle to afford our own basic needs with our salaries. It became difficult to imagine ever being able to care for a child. My husband and I were married for four years, then naturally parted ways. I got married in my late 20s, which didn’t solve any of my financial issues. I remember not having nice clothes for job interviews, and struggling with the extra bus fare needed to commute to interviews for higher-paying jobs, which happened to be further from where we lived. My husband and I didn’t think about having children at first, because we knew we would need to get better jobs and finish our degrees before we could afford to raise a child. Several years passed, and we continued to struggle to afford our own basic needs with our salaries. It became difficult to imagine ever being able to care for a child. My husband and I were married for four years, then naturally parted ways. 
I currently live in Milwaukee and work as a crew trainer at McDonald’s – one step down from the managerial position. Despite having worked here for three years, I have only received one raise, from $9.00 to $10.40 per hour. I have good and bad days. I know that I am lucky to make more than the state-wide minimum wage – which is currently $7.25/hour – but my wages barely let me support myself, let alone a child. I currently live in Milwaukee and work as a crew trainer at McDonald’s – one step down from the managerial position. Despite having worked here for three years, I have only received one raise, from $9.00 to $10.40 per hour. I have good and bad days. I know that I am lucky to make more than the state-wide minimum wage – which is currently $7.25/hour – but my wages barely let me support myself, let alone a child. 
After each two-week paycheck, I pay my rent and am left with little grocery and laundry money. My apartment is fine, and not too expensive. I would probably need to work double my current hours to have an apartment that is nice and clean – those cost at least $600-$800 a month. I’m usually able to save about $40 per month. Sometimes I do go out to eat. Recently, I had to get a tooth filled, which set me back about $100. Medical costs or other emergencies can wipe me out for the month. I stretch every penny and can only just make ends meet. With just $10.40 an hour, that penny can’t stretch much farther. After each two-week paycheck, I pay my rent and am left with little grocery and laundry money. My apartment is fine, and not too expensive. I would probably need to work double my current hours to have an apartment that is nice and clean – those cost at least $600-$800 a month. I’m usually able to save about $40 per month. Sometimes I do go out to eat. Recently, I had to get a tooth filled, which set me back about $100. Medical costs or other emergencies can wipe me out for the month. I stretch every penny and can only just make ends meet. With just $10.40 an hour, that penny can’t stretch much further.
Too many workers like me are being forced to make impossible choices – including the choice between being able to put food on the table tonight and starting a family in the future. I know what it’s like to grow up with parents who struggle to pay the rent and have to make do without healthcare or job security, and I don’t want that for my child. I am still hoping to have one or two children in the future – if my wages go up, I can find a well-paying job with promotability in my field, and can afford my own house.Too many workers like me are being forced to make impossible choices – including the choice between being able to put food on the table tonight and starting a family in the future. I know what it’s like to grow up with parents who struggle to pay the rent and have to make do without healthcare or job security, and I don’t want that for my child. I am still hoping to have one or two children in the future – if my wages go up, I can find a well-paying job with promotability in my field, and can afford my own house.
The Fight for $15 and my union is giving me a chance to have a voice in my own future and demand a seat at the table to fight for better workplace conditions and a better life. I’m going to keep fighting for change because no one should be forced to choose between financial stability and having a child.The Fight for $15 and my union is giving me a chance to have a voice in my own future and demand a seat at the table to fight for better workplace conditions and a better life. I’m going to keep fighting for change because no one should be forced to choose between financial stability and having a child.