Simulation Reflection Paper

In the simulation Spent, the players are forced into the challenging reality of a single parent living paycheck to paycheck from a minimum wage salary. I ended day thirty with $199 due to the challenging choices I was required to make. In my perspective, after day thirty I could click the simulation off, however, that same choice is not given to the countless number of other U.S. workers living Spent. The choices presented in the simulation-paying for healthcare, union forming, and receiving food stamps-mirrored the struggles other Americans endure on a day-to-day basis. Foremost, paying for healthcare insurance is not a necessity for every individual when considering the overall costs. In the simulation, I chose to work in a warehouse because of the steady hours and hourly wage, but the lifting and stocking takes a major toll on my body. I had the option to choose a healthcare plan, unfortunately I could not afford buying one because of my other demanding necessities. Since my child received free healthcare, I “opted out,” which cost a fee …show more content…
In Spent, I thankfully had the choice to receive food stamps, after applying, I was accepted. Currently, the total costs of SNAP as of 2016 amounts to 70,911.55 million dollars (Participation and Costs, 1969-2016). Millions of people across the country use food stamps as a necessity. Considering SNAP is a noncontributory program (“social program that provide assistance to people on the basis of demonstrated need rather than any contribution they have made”), all people accepted to use food stamps must pass a means test (“a procedure that requires applicants to show a financial need for assistance”), which means they genuinely need this assistance (Ginsberg et al. 2017. 676). In my simulation, working for nine dollars an hour while also having a young child presents my need for food