On March 11, 2024, Betsey Stevenson released an interesting piece titled “What Working-Class Men Can Learn From ’Barbie’” on Bloomberg. The number of jobs held by working-class men in the goods-producing sector is rapidly dwindling; however, there’s no new narrative for these men to follow yet.
Economists often discuss jobs due to their significant impacts on people’s lives. Work is more than just a means of financial survival. It also serves as an avenue for societal contributions, identity formation, and the pursuit of life’s meanings. However, the transition or complete disappearance of work can leave individuals feeling disoriented, similar to Ken’s emotional disarray in Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie”.
This comparison is quite apt, considering Gosling perceived loss at the Academy Awards, mirroring the feelings of men who have found themselves directionless in the face of changing socio-economic dynamics.
The harsh reality is that men still hold 77% of jobs in the goods-producing sector. However, with the global and US economies moving forward, the need for jobs in this sector has diminished.
This shift has unfortunately occurred without the development of a new narrative that working-class men can grasp. Until a new narrative emerges, many working-class men may continue to feel like Ken in a world that no longer needs his services.
The detailed discussion can be found in Stevenson’s original article on Bloomberg Law’s website.