The American Problem
American citizens experience lots of problems that they may think are normal around the world. In reality, a lot of these issues are actually exclusive to the States and are seen as strange by other countries. Which of these problems do you experience? Odds are if you’re American, you probably deal with all of them.
1. Doing Taxes
In the United States, most individuals are forced to understand and complete a complicated tax system without assistance, despite having never learned how to do so in schools. There are very few countries where the average person actually has to "file taxes," as governments in other countries tend to simplify this process for the public or complete the task on behalf of the people. Filing taxes in the U.S. is full of complex forms, deductions, and deadlines that make tax season a stressful, anxiety-inducing time of the year.
2. Minimum Holiday Time
Americans put in a lot of hours with often no or minimal guaranteed paid time off compared to most other developed countries. Many people in the United States simply do not take time off from work. The result is less time for rest and relaxation and more significant burnout, stress, and imbalance compared to countries with strong labor protections and guaranteed vacation.
3. Credit Checks at Jobs
In the United States, most entry-level jobs require substance tests and credit checks before employment, which is not standard in most other countries. These unnecessary barriers can disqualify otherwise qualified applicants who may have minor financial blemishes or youthful indiscretions and deny them employment opportunities. This places undue stress and additional hurdles on young adults and first-time job seekers, making simple employment more difficult than it needs to be.
4. Paying to Be in Weddings
Bridesmaids in the United States are often expected to pay hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars for dresses, parties, trips, and gifts, and this is extremely uncommon in other countries. In many other places around the world, the couple or their family will cover the costs of wedding attendance, but American traditions have placed the entire financial burden on friends. This makes participating in a wedding, something that is supposed to be a celebration of close relationships, a source of anxiety and huge expense.
5. Medical Bankruptcy
The issue is that in the United States, medical costs can bankrupt individuals even if they have insurance. In contrast to several other countries that have universal healthcare or government-subsidized medical coverage, Americans are frequently faced with astronomical costs for treatments, prescriptions, and hospitalizations. This financial susceptibility renders accessing healthcare not merely a health concern but also a significant financial risk, a predicament that is uncommon in countries with comprehensive healthcare systems.
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6. Sudden Job Loss
In the United States, employees can often be terminated with no notice or severance pay. This means they can be left unemployed without any income. In many other countries, labor laws protect employees by requiring a notice period or compensation while they find a new job.
7. Minimum Maternity
The issue is that American new parents have access to very limited, if any, paid maternity leave when compared to almost all other developed countries. In the U.S., a lot of workers are expected to be back at work mere days after childbirth. In order to care for their infant, new mothers often must use unpaid leave or vacation days, which can be a major financial and health stressor for the family.
8. Credit in General
The issue is that in the United States, a lack of credit history can drastically constrain your financial options. This is not the case in most other nations. If you don't utilize credit or loans frequently, you will be punished as an American, and your credit score will decrease even if you have been using your money wisely. The system makes daily financial life very difficult for people who don't want to go into debt.
9. Public Bathrooms
The issue is that public bathroom stalls in America are often poorly designed. Many stalls have large gaps or doors that do not reach the ground, leaving users feeling vulnerable. In contrast to countries like Italy, where stalls are fully enclosed rooms, Americans are often left feeling exposed, even in a private setting.
10. Calling an Ambulance
In the United States, many people are afraid to call an ambulance or go to the emergency room for fear of being hit with an astronomical medical bill. In countries with universal healthcare or government-subsidized emergency services, this is not a concern. However, in the U.S., it is possible to incur thousands of dollars in medical expenses for emergency treatment. This fear can lead to life-threatening delays in receiving care.
11. Homeowner’s Association
The issue is that some Americans have overbearing HOAs that attempt to exert very minute control over what homeowners can do on their own property. HOAs are specific to America; in many other countries, the purchase of a home comes with the understanding of free rein to do what you want on your own property with few limitations. American HOAs can go as far as to dictate what paint color a home can be and what landscaping a homeowner can have.
12. Tipping Culture
The issue is that tipping in America forces the customer to determine and pay a tip to nearly all service charges. In most countries, tipping is not expected or service charges are included; it's not a burden or as awkward. Americans, however, must figure out a fair amount for every meal out, salon visit, or ride.
13. Unwalkable Cities
The issue is that numerous American urban areas are built with a reliance on automobiles, making it hard or unsafe to go on foot. In contrast to numerous areas in Europe or Asia where walkability is a key element of city design, Americans are required to drive, even for short trips, to run errands or socialize. This lack of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure leads to traffic congestion, environmental impact, and a lack of community engagement.
14. Student Loans
The issue is that in America, people graduate from college with huge student loan debt, which is extremely rare in other countries that have free or low-cost higher education. Americans are forced to take out loans to cover costs that other countries are more likely to subsidize or outright pay for in full, trapping them in long-term debt that will take years, if not decades, to pay off. Long-term debt is incredibly stressful, causing people to be more frugal with their money, unable to enter certain career paths, and unable to buy a house or start a family.
15. Medication Costs
The issue is that the price of prescription drugs in the United States is sky-high, much higher than in countries with government price control or negotiation. In contrast to other countries where medications are more affordable and accessible, Americans can be saddled with exorbitant bills for needed treatments. It forces patients to skip doses, ration medication, or forgo care altogether, which can lead to significant health consequences.
Melany @ tuinfosalud.com on Unsplash
16. Extracurriculars
Many youth sports are set up as pay-to-play systems where families have to pay high fees for club membership, equipment, and travel to allow their children to play sports and compete, which is uncommon in many other countries. In the U.S., there is not a strong publicly funded or community-based system in place like in other countries, and families have to bear the cost themselves. This creates barriers for lower-income children and can make playing youth sports more of a financial stressor.
17. Vehicle Reliance
In many other countries, cheap, efficient public transportation is widely available, but in the U.S., it is uncommon in suburban or rural areas, and Americans often must drive to most places, even for relatively short distances. This contributes to traffic, pollution, the high costs of owning and maintaining a car, and makes it difficult for those who cannot drive or do not own a car to get around.
Hyundai Motor Group on Unsplash
18. Daycare Costs
The problem is that, unlike in most countries, childcare in America is typically outrageously expensive and hard to find. In many places around the world, government support allows it to be free or very low cost. Childcare expenses can reach thousands of dollars per month for American families.
19. No Village
U.S. parents experience isolated childcare without community or familial support, in contrast to cultures where family and social networks frequently help raise children. U.S. parents are expected to fully provide childcare independently, juggling work, errands, and parenting with unreliable support. This isolation leads to increased stress, social disconnection, and places a significant emotional and financial strain on families.
20. Complicated News Networks
In America, news is often personality-driven, opinionated, and commercialized. It can differ from other countries' neutral, fact-based journalism. Many Americans are bombarded with hyper-fast coverage that mixes reporting and commentary. The result can be less clarity on where facts end and opinions begin.
