In 2015, hundreds of fast food workers rallied outside of restaurants to protest and push for an increase in the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15.00 an hour. The workers protested and demanded a raise in pay because they wanted wage equality, they needed money to support their families, and the rallies illuminated the power that workers wield when they stand together. But would the good effects of increasing the minimum wage outweigh the bad? Raising the minimum wage would not be beneficial to employees, employers, or poverty stricken families because an increase in minimum wage forces employers to automate jobs and increases unemployment, which takes away opportunities to learn a good work ethic, and it has been proven that an increase in the
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The statistics from this report show that after the minimum wage was raised in 1970,1974, 1978,1990, and 2007 unemployment increased anywhere from 4.4% to 10.1%. There was only one instance in 1996 when an increase in minimum wage did not result in a spike in unemployment (Jaarda). These statistics are proof that when minimum wage is increased unemployment levels rise. But looking at these statistics begs the question what would happen if we increased the minimum wage and unemployment did rise? Would the effects really be that bad? In his article, Christopher Jaarda describes what happens when increased minimum wage reduces job opportunities for employees, “When increases in minimum wage cause employers to eliminate entry-level jobs, potential employees are denied the opportunity to gain work skills and lose to ability to move up in the economic ladder” (Jaarda). One of the most important values we have been taught since the birth of our country has been a solid work ethic. Too many people today don’t have a good work ethic and they expect life to be handed to them on a silver platter. If we take away jobs by increasing minimum wage, then many in the next generation will not learn a good work ethic and those who do will be getting paid much more than they are worth. If we want …show more content…
Twenty-nine percent would go to families with incomes three times the poverty level. […] What about minimum wages as high as $15 an hour? […] applying the same calculation as above for a $15 per hour minimum, the share of benefits going to poor families would decline 12%, and the share going to families more than three times the poverty line would increase 36%. And this does not account for the sizable employment losses that would likely result from such a large minimum-wage increase.
The statistics from this report show that after the minimum wage was raised in 1970,1974, 1978,1990, and 2007 unemployment increased anywhere from 4.4% to 10.1%. There was only one instance in 1996 when an increase in minimum wage did not result in a spike in unemployment (Jaarda). These statistics are proof that when minimum wage is increased unemployment levels rise. But looking at these statistics begs the question what would happen if we increased the minimum wage and unemployment did rise? Would the effects really be that bad? In his article, Christopher Jaarda describes what happens when increased minimum wage reduces job opportunities for employees, “When increases in minimum wage cause employers to eliminate entry-level jobs, potential employees are denied the opportunity to gain work skills and lose to ability to move up in the economic ladder” (Jaarda). One of the most important values we have been taught since the birth of our country has been a solid work ethic. Too many people today don’t have a good work ethic and they expect life to be handed to them on a silver platter. If we take away jobs by increasing minimum wage, then many in the next generation will not learn a good work ethic and those who do will be getting paid much more than they are worth. If we want …show more content…
Twenty-nine percent would go to families with incomes three times the poverty level. […] What about minimum wages as high as $15 an hour? […] applying the same calculation as above for a $15 per hour minimum, the share of benefits going to poor families would decline 12%, and the share going to families more than three times the poverty line would increase 36%. And this does not account for the sizable employment losses that would likely result from such a large minimum-wage increase.