Reply #87: I think so.. [View All]

especially if that is all you are doing. I wasn't as affected as some of the others my age since I was in college. I was always going to go to law school, so I saw my time there as more of a social science experiment a la "Nickel and Dimed." (BTW I was fired for requesting a transfer to a closer Wal-Mart.)

As far as self-esteem goes, there is a sinking sensation one experiences just by accepting work there. I mean, you are agreeing to work your ass off for a multi-billion dollar corporation for a pittance, no health insurance and a 10 percent discount (company scrip).

After that, they grind you down if you don't play the game. The people who NEED the work and BELIEVE in the Horatio Alger myth have it the worst because they will have their virtues and good values used against them by those who use others without accepting any responsibility.

Another example: my wife (before we were married) was berated openly for minor things that others would get away with. I saw it having an effect on her self-esteem and advised her to quit. It was ruining her vision of herself and caused her a lot of grief and doubt.

Your sister might be experiencing the same thing, but without the advantage of being able to quit. My wife's situation was much different from your sister's, but there has to be something better for her. There are alternatives available to her (part time college, better work, student loans, etc.), she may just need to be told what they are. Sometimes hearing it from someone else is all it takes.