The last three decades have seen the collapse of the family wage

Host:
The morning sun poured through the blinds, casting a soft glow on the worn wooden table where Jack and Jeeny sat, their coffee cups resting in front of them. The air was quiet, save for the occasional hum of distant traffic and the low murmur of the world outside. Inside, however, the conversation was anything but quiet. Jack had just read aloud a quote from Christopher Lasch:

“The last three decades have seen the collapse of the family wage system.”

The words hung in the air between them, loaded with implications. They both knew the weight of what Lasch was saying, but the truth of it needed to be unpacked.

Jack:
(he sets his cup down, his expression thoughtful, almost heavy with the weight of the words)
"That quote really struck me. ‘The collapse of the family wage system’ — it sounds like something that’s been happening quietly for decades, but it’s so real, isn’t it? The idea that in the past, one wage could sustain an entire family — and now, it feels like that’s almost a thing of the past."

(He looks at Jeeny, his voice quieter now, more reflective.)
"I mean, we live in a world where two incomes are often required just to get by. The idea of the family wage system, where one person’s income could cover the household, seems like it belongs to a different era."

Jeeny:
(she nods slowly, her gaze soft but serious)
"Yeah, it’s a huge shift, isn’t it? For so long, the idea was that a father’s wage would provide for the family. But now, it’s more common for both parents to be working full-time just to stay afloat. The collapse of that system has changed the way families function, not just economically, but socially, too."

(She leans forward slightly, her voice growing a bit more impassioned.)
"It’s about more than just money. It’s about the time we lose — the time that parents used to have to spend with their children, with each other. Now, everything feels like it’s constantly about work and survival, not about the deeper connections that once defined family life."

Host:
The stillness of the room contrasts with the weight of their words. Outside, the world moves at its usual pace, indifferent to the conversation happening inside. But in here, the idea of the collapse of something as fundamental as the family wage system is a topic that feels as pressing as the world outside. The subtle ticking of the clock in the corner becomes louder, as if time itself is reminding them of the changing landscape around them.

Jack’s gaze drifts toward the window for a moment, as if searching for something — an answer, a reflection, maybe a glimpse of what the world looks like now. Jeeny watches him, her thoughts mirrored in the quiet intensity of her expression.

Jack:
(he shakes his head slowly, almost as if grappling with the implications)
"Right, it’s not just about the economics. It’s about the shift in priorities. Families are now working more just to keep up, and as a result, the time we used to have for connection is slipping away."

(He looks at her, his tone more resigned, the weight of reality sinking in.)
"And we’re seeing the consequences of that. Kids growing up in a world where both parents are working, and maybe even feeling that absence — the lack of quality time, of meaningful interaction. It’s not just a problem for families, though. It’s a problem for society as a whole."

Jeeny:
(she nods, her voice calm but filled with understanding)
"I think the breakdown of the family wage system speaks to something deeper — it speaks to a shift in values, a shift in what we prioritize as a society. It’s about progress, yes, but at what cost?"

(She pauses, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her cup.)
"We’ve built a society where success is measured by productivity, by how much we work, how much we can contribute to the economy. But in the process, we’ve neglected the importance of family life, of connection. And now, we’re seeing the impact of that imbalance."

Host:
The air in the room feels heavier now, as if the conversation has opened up a space that neither Jack nor Jeeny can easily step away from. The words linger, resonating with an understanding that goes beyond just the collapse of an economic system — it’s about the deeper cost to personal lives, to the very structure of how families operate. The world outside seems distant, irrelevant even, as they sit in the quiet space between them, their reflections tied to something both personal and collective.

Jack:
(he speaks more quietly, a bit of frustration in his voice)
"I think the real question now is: How do we fix this? If the old system is broken, how do we create a new one that balances work with family, that allows for real connection without the constant pressure of financial survival?"

(He looks at her, his voice tinged with a quiet hope.)
"Can we build a world where people can have both — purpose and time? Where the struggle for survival doesn’t erase the connections that matter most?"

Jeeny:
(she looks at him with a gentle, almost sad understanding)
"I think the change needs to come from us, Jack. From a shift in how we view success, not as how much we can do, but as how well we can live. How much we value the things that can’t be measured in money — time spent with family, time for personal growth, time to rest. Maybe the collapse of the family wage system isn’t the end, but a chance for us to rebuild with a new perspective."

(She smiles softly, a quiet conviction in her voice.)
"Balance is what we need, Jack. A balance between work and life, between productivity and connection. We need to create a world where we can thrive financially, but also emotionally, where we make room for what really matters."

Host:
The room is filled with a quiet realization, as though the conversation has turned a corner, and what seemed like a distant issue has now become something deeply personal. Jack and Jeeny sit, side by side, their thoughts slowly merging into something larger than just their own lives. Outside, the world continues its steady pace, but inside, something deeper is shifting — a recognition that the way we live now, the way we balance work and life, must change if we want to preserve the connections that make life truly meaningful.

For now, the future feels uncertain, but there is hope in the possibility of change, in the idea that we can rebuild what has been lost — not just financially, but emotionally, relationally, and fundamentally. The conversation lingers in the air, as the world outside continues on, unaware.

End Scene