Developmental stages
This morning, I was reading some comments regarding a recent announcement about the salary of the president of the University of South Florida. I googled USF president’s salary and found the following:
“The longest serving president in the history of the University of South Florida will remain on board for at least one more year.
The USF Board of Trustees unanimously approved a one-year contract extension for Judy Genshaft at their meeting on Thursday.
The group also approved a five percent base pay raise for Genshaft, who will receive an annual salary of $493,500.
Her pay could grow to as much as $768,500, depending on if she meets certain performance levels set by the Board of Trustees.” http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu
I also found the following:
“According to a CNN Money article published in May 2013, the median base salary for public university presidents in the fiscal year 2011-2012 was $373,800, with a total median pay package of $441,392 per year when factoring in deferred compensation and other one-time payments.”
I also found the following:
“Nearly 40 percent of all workers in the country made less than $20,000 last year, according to data from the Social Security Administration, which doesn’t include figures on benefits such as health insurance or pensions. That’s below the federal poverty threshold for a family of four and close to the line for a family of three. On average, these workers earned just $17,459.55.
Meanwhile, more than half of all workers made less than $30,000, not much more to live off of. Wider Opportunities for Women has estimated that a two-income family with two children needs to bring in nearly $72,000 a year to simply reach economic security. Two earners at this level won’t achieve that status.” Thinkprogress.org
Additionally, money.usnews.com reports:
“Lawyers earned an average annual salary of $133,470 in 2014, which is substantially more than any other occupation on our list of Best Social Service Jobs. In 2014, paralegals earned an average salary of $51,840. Other jobs that also earn much less than lawyers include patrol officers ($59,560), high school teachers ($59,330) and school counselors ($56,040).”
Money.cnn.com reports:
“Super rich Americans skew average wealth upwards. The U.S. has 42% of the world's millionaires, and 49% of those with more than $50 million in assets.”
At the same time:
In Gallup’s 2013 State of the American Workplace study, 70 percent of those who participated described themselves as “disengaged” from their work.
Of over 150,000 people surveyed only 30 percent admitted they honestly enjoy their job and their bosses. Those who show up but are less than thrilled about it — or “disengaged” — made up the biggest category at 52 percent of work. ryot.org
I looked up the average or median salary of many different professionals– those with college degrees and frequently some graduate or professional school credentials. The lowest paying professional jobs are pastors, social workers, teachers, and counselors. Attorneys, college presidents, and doctors (especially specialists), well known sports figures, and well known entertainers are among the highest paid. Pastors, social workers, counselors, doctors, attorneys and many teachers are required to have graduate or professional school degrees.
Finane.yahoo.com reports:
By 2010, the median estimated wealth for members of the House of Representatives was $746,000; for senators it was $2.6 million.
There was virtually no difference between the wealth of Republicans and Democrats in 2010. Just six years earlier, the net worth of Republicans was 44% higher than the net worth of Democrats.
28% of Congress, or 150 members, reported earning more income from outside jobs and investments than from their Congressional salary of $174,000.
27% of Congressional members saw a decline in their net worth between 2004 and 2010.
Lawmakers acquired their wealth in a variety of ways but real estate, institutional funds, and the wealth of their spouses were the top three sources.
Obviously I could go on quoting statistics for thousands of words. In fact, I have copied and pasted several more pages of information which I am not going to include here.
What can we deduce from the following?
The significant percentage of United States workers who are unhappy with their jobs.
The fact that such a large group of people in the United States earns less than all experts determine is a living wage in this country.
The fact that even the lowest paid professional worker in this country is better off than much of the world’s population.
The fact that there are some countries where the average professional worker is better off and several countries where the benefits such as health care, vacation time, maternity and paternity leave are more generous than the United. States.
What possible explanations can one posit about the level of anger and unhappiness in this country? Are the following possible factors?
Is it possible that all the “things” which many thought were going to bring satisfaction and happiness are no longer enough? Perhaps it is true that when we look for happiness in things, drugs, sex, power, or money that we always, in the long run, find out that the satisfaction or happiness/high is only temporary.
I recall a time when salary and other benefit information in organizations for which I worked were closely guarded secrets. One did not discuss salary or income information even with one’s friends and neighbors. Now most salary and benefit information is very public.
We have created a United States dream (often called the American dream) or myth which states one will always improve one’s financial status is life. If parents had a 3000 square foot home one should have 5000 square foot home which is furnished with all the best or most expensive “things” now!
One is exposed to more cultures and information.
Individuals and families are less likely to live in a close knit community which includes a church/religious community. Does this mean that the expectation is that more of one’s needs will be satisfied in the work environment?
More employers are corporate based. One may change jobs and locations often and/or the company may be sold or traded.
Is it possible that we are in a stage of growth in the United States which is normal and healthy? It is true that change often involves grief as we let go of dreams, hopes and expectations. The stages of grief often involve:
Shock and Denial
Pain and guilt
Anger and bargaining
Depression, reflection and loneliness
The upward turn
Reconstruction and working through
Acceptance and hope
What if the citizens of the United States (and perhaps many other countries) need to just accept that they have to work through the stages? If we could trust this process we can trust that most of us will come to the stage of acceptance and hope for the future. We will have new visions and new dreams. It is interesting to me that all the studies which acknowledge the current existential angst also acknowledge that we humans are moving toward a more spiritual existence than we have ever experienced.
Personally I am convinced that this may be the case and that it is safe to relax while we work our way through this seeming period of chaos.
Written March 10, 2016
This morning, I was reading some comments regarding a recent announcement about the salary of the president of the University of South Florida. I googled USF president’s salary and found the following:
“The longest serving president in the history of the University of South Florida will remain on board for at least one more year.
The USF Board of Trustees unanimously approved a one-year contract extension for Judy Genshaft at their meeting on Thursday.
The group also approved a five percent base pay raise for Genshaft, who will receive an annual salary of $493,500.
Her pay could grow to as much as $768,500, depending on if she meets certain performance levels set by the Board of Trustees.” http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu
I also found the following:
“According to a CNN Money article published in May 2013, the median base salary for public university presidents in the fiscal year 2011-2012 was $373,800, with a total median pay package of $441,392 per year when factoring in deferred compensation and other one-time payments.”
I also found the following:
“Nearly 40 percent of all workers in the country made less than $20,000 last year, according to data from the Social Security Administration, which doesn’t include figures on benefits such as health insurance or pensions. That’s below the federal poverty threshold for a family of four and close to the line for a family of three. On average, these workers earned just $17,459.55.
Meanwhile, more than half of all workers made less than $30,000, not much more to live off of. Wider Opportunities for Women has estimated that a two-income family with two children needs to bring in nearly $72,000 a year to simply reach economic security. Two earners at this level won’t achieve that status.” Thinkprogress.org
Additionally, money.usnews.com reports:
“Lawyers earned an average annual salary of $133,470 in 2014, which is substantially more than any other occupation on our list of Best Social Service Jobs. In 2014, paralegals earned an average salary of $51,840. Other jobs that also earn much less than lawyers include patrol officers ($59,560), high school teachers ($59,330) and school counselors ($56,040).”
Money.cnn.com reports:
“Super rich Americans skew average wealth upwards. The U.S. has 42% of the world's millionaires, and 49% of those with more than $50 million in assets.”
At the same time:
In Gallup’s 2013 State of the American Workplace study, 70 percent of those who participated described themselves as “disengaged” from their work.
Of over 150,000 people surveyed only 30 percent admitted they honestly enjoy their job and their bosses. Those who show up but are less than thrilled about it — or “disengaged” — made up the biggest category at 52 percent of work. ryot.org
I looked up the average or median salary of many different professionals– those with college degrees and frequently some graduate or professional school credentials. The lowest paying professional jobs are pastors, social workers, teachers, and counselors. Attorneys, college presidents, and doctors (especially specialists), well known sports figures, and well known entertainers are among the highest paid. Pastors, social workers, counselors, doctors, attorneys and many teachers are required to have graduate or professional school degrees.
Finane.yahoo.com reports:
By 2010, the median estimated wealth for members of the House of Representatives was $746,000; for senators it was $2.6 million.
There was virtually no difference between the wealth of Republicans and Democrats in 2010. Just six years earlier, the net worth of Republicans was 44% higher than the net worth of Democrats.
28% of Congress, or 150 members, reported earning more income from outside jobs and investments than from their Congressional salary of $174,000.
27% of Congressional members saw a decline in their net worth between 2004 and 2010.
Lawmakers acquired their wealth in a variety of ways but real estate, institutional funds, and the wealth of their spouses were the top three sources.
Obviously I could go on quoting statistics for thousands of words. In fact, I have copied and pasted several more pages of information which I am not going to include here.
What can we deduce from the following?
The significant percentage of United States workers who are unhappy with their jobs.
The fact that such a large group of people in the United States earns less than all experts determine is a living wage in this country.
The fact that even the lowest paid professional worker in this country is better off than much of the world’s population.
The fact that there are some countries where the average professional worker is better off and several countries where the benefits such as health care, vacation time, maternity and paternity leave are more generous than the United. States.
What possible explanations can one posit about the level of anger and unhappiness in this country? Are the following possible factors?
Is it possible that all the “things” which many thought were going to bring satisfaction and happiness are no longer enough? Perhaps it is true that when we look for happiness in things, drugs, sex, power, or money that we always, in the long run, find out that the satisfaction or happiness/high is only temporary.
I recall a time when salary and other benefit information in organizations for which I worked were closely guarded secrets. One did not discuss salary or income information even with one’s friends and neighbors. Now most salary and benefit information is very public.
We have created a United States dream (often called the American dream) or myth which states one will always improve one’s financial status is life. If parents had a 3000 square foot home one should have 5000 square foot home which is furnished with all the best or most expensive “things” now!
One is exposed to more cultures and information.
Individuals and families are less likely to live in a close knit community which includes a church/religious community. Does this mean that the expectation is that more of one’s needs will be satisfied in the work environment?
More employers are corporate based. One may change jobs and locations often and/or the company may be sold or traded.
Is it possible that we are in a stage of growth in the United States which is normal and healthy? It is true that change often involves grief as we let go of dreams, hopes and expectations. The stages of grief often involve:
Shock and Denial
Pain and guilt
Anger and bargaining
Depression, reflection and loneliness
The upward turn
Reconstruction and working through
Acceptance and hope
What if the citizens of the United States (and perhaps many other countries) need to just accept that they have to work through the stages? If we could trust this process we can trust that most of us will come to the stage of acceptance and hope for the future. We will have new visions and new dreams. It is interesting to me that all the studies which acknowledge the current existential angst also acknowledge that we humans are moving toward a more spiritual existence than we have ever experienced.
Personally I am convinced that this may be the case and that it is safe to relax while we work our way through this seeming period of chaos.
Written March 10, 2016
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