New term: societal self-sufficiency.

[aesmael]

In this society we cannot truly be self-sufficient as it is an interrelated web of needs and support, we are largely invisibly dependent on each other. However, there is a set of abilities which people are pressured to have and which we are now calling societal self-sufficiency. That is the ability to appear self-sufficient in the context of this society: to earn enough money to pay for food and other living expenses, to be able to handle appointments, bills, and other such things which crop up without relying on another to do for em. Someone who can do this, alone or as a significant contributor in a cooperative household, is considered societally self-sufficient.

Comments

[freelark.livejournal.com]

I was thinking about this just today. A very useful term.

[taraxoxo.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, societal self sufficiency is sometimes an excuse used by those who don't want to help the less fortunate ones.