by Heath Weigel

Created on: June 19, 2008

The price of gas will ultimately destroy the young adults of America. For those who have just begun the journey of life after high school times have never been harder. Not only is it hard enough for them to deal with the responsibilities of their new life but adding in the ever rising gas prices makes it almost impossible for most to start their lives on their own. This generation will play a huge part in what could become a possible economic crisis if the price of fuel continues to rise.

As a graduate of the class of 2007 I am only one year out of high school and still seem to be stuck at home with my family. Although with a recent increase in my pay I am on my way out but I can't help but to wonder how those who make less then me are surviving in the world. When you figure that those who enter the work force right after high school are making on average nine to eleven dollars an hour, how is it possible to live alone, pay the bills, and still afford the cost of gas? It's almost impossible! As gas prices rise you are using almost half of what you make an hour to put a gallon of gas in your tank. This makes it even worse for those have somewhat of a drive to get to their job. I feel for those whose families are not financially stable to let live at home till things improve with their income. If the price of gas continues to rise as time goes on the age that the average American moves out of the family home will defiantly rise.

Even those who choose to continue their education are facing problems with the price of gas. These are the ones who are the full time students with the part time jobs. Their jobs are the ones that pay anywhere from eight to ten dollars and hour. How do they do it? If they do not live on campus you have to then consider not only are they commuting to school they then have to commute to their job. That can take quite a bit of gas in a week's time. The price of gas could even be making some young adults reconsider the fact that they actually can not afford to go to school and be able to financially live. This could potentially make those hold off on continuing education which could cause problems in the near future for the jobs that require a degree. For many enrolled in secondary education the question is how do they pay for the schooling when all their money is going to gas?

This the generation that is starting out in a world that takes money to survive on your own. That money for most is provided by working. The jobs that provide the work are not always in walking distance which then requires a form of transportation to get there. That transportation for most is a vehicle. That vehicle requires gas in some way or the other. That gas costs almost half of what this generation makes in an hour which leaves us with many questions. How will I afford to live on my own? Are the low paying jobs even worth it? Can you even afford to put yourself through secondary education? This of course will affect the economy by raising the unemployment and leaving some homeless. Either it is the cashier position at the local gas station we give half pay checks to or an engineer position at a fuel refinery that requires a degree, no job is safe. Young adults can fill these positions but can they afford the fuel to get them there and get them out on their own.

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