My Dad was a baker. He came from the streets of Seattle as the son of an illegal immigrant. He felt like he should pay back to society that allowed him to build a small business so he enrolled in a state program (in the late 60's and early 70's) that was intended to help the down and out learn a trade and move up economically. He would take on a baker's apprentice, and work towards teaching them how to be a baker. For the first several months, things were fine.
Once the wolf wasn't scratching at their door, all of a sudden, they'd start calling in sick. After a few weeks of this, they'd disappear for a week at a time. It was inevitable that they'd quit a short time later.
I watched it over and over again
Flash forward: There was a formerly board certified pathologist working as a bus boy at a local restaurant. Some in my group thought that all he needed was a helping hand, so he was brought on as a pathologist's assistant. It lasted a couple months.
IN GENERAL, when people fall that far down the economic ladder, there is some underlying pathology that led to it. It ain't just bad luck.
