r Bates By Nikalas Kryzanowski, Opinions | Editor t’s funny that when same-sex marriage | was hot button issue a few years ago that social conservatives would use the argument that it could be a reproductive threat to the human race, that it could destroy the integrity of the Canadian family structure. Well, that hasn’t happened and it’s pretty obvious that the sky is not falling because gay people love each other. What is of concern is the idea that we, as average Canadians, may actually be “working” ourselves to extinction. A recent Health Canada survey called Work-Life Conflict in Canada in the New Millennium concluded that in their demands of their job. The report suggests that as large companies look for ways to reduce costs, they wind up burdening existing employees with loads of extra work. Work that often must be completed in their spare time as “donated hours.” Large amounts of money are then wasted on decreased productivity and absenteeism. Employees today are far more burdened mechanisms given by the over 30,000 survey participants and the most startling revelation it expresses is that many Canadians are consciously deciding to reduce and delay their family size as a way to directly cope with being overworked. This is among “economically well- positioned” Canadians as well. Canadian couples are producing on average 1.5 babies in their lives—the middle of the pack among industrialized nations, but clearly not enough to sustain society. If only Western industrialized societies existed, with those numbers, one could argue that we would eventually fail as a species. Thus, one can conclude that on its structural level the Western model of consumer capitalism is an abject failure propped up solely by Could our everyday lives be destroying the fabric of society? to one study) become latchkey kids, left home alone after school while parents work themselves silly for a paycheque. This, according to a 1991, study can lead to antisocial and problem behaviour in kids. That said, is this really the future that we have envisioned for ourselves as a species? We create devices and gadgets with the intention of simplifying our lives and having more leisure time. It seems though that the maintenance and paperwork involved in running these devices consume way more of our lives than we realize. So what do you know? The Western world is in decline and it’s the so-called normal everyday things that seem to be the cause. It would be nice to sit and reflect on PRT ne ent a FPN rene worst-case scenario, upwards of 60% of Canadians employed outside the home are having severe difficulty coping with the today than in 1991—the year the survey uses for comparison. The survey outlines the coping immigration from non-Western nations. Of those children that do get born, a large percentage (23 per cent, according this, maybe over a board game, but I’ve gotta get back to work. Top tips for taking the roommate plunge By Natalie Nathanson hile leaving the nest seems like a desirable goal, it’s also really expensive to live on your own, and living with a roommate is usually the road people take to get started. However, living with other people has its drawbacks. Living with your best friend may seem like the ideal living situation, but if you’re considering it make sure you really can live together. You may find out some things about them that will make you regret it, and find out they’re the most absolute worst person to live with, causing rifts in your relationship. Making sure your roommate is in a place 10 of financial stability is also crucial. If you have doubts then don’t move in with them. They’ll either ask to borrow money for rent and other things, or have trouble paying you back. Having financial stability is a good way to ensure there won’t be problems between you and your roommate. But there are a few other problems that can come up between you and a roommate. Here’s a few ways on how you can be the perfect roomie: * Food is something sacred to people. If it’s not yours, don't touch it! Ask first. Chances are, they’ ll either let you have it, or ask you to buy it from them. Buying food off roommates isn’t so bad, seeing as if they notice it’s gone and you didn’t ask for it they’ll charge you anyway, and you'll look like an asshole for not asking in the first place. The same goes for booze. You just don’t touch another man’s beer without asking. ¢ — If you’re a non smoker, and despise the smell of smoke, don’t choose a roommate who smokes. They may be the coolest and best fit candidate and promise to smoke outside but chances are they will sneak a smoke every now and then inside their rooms, and that’s a smell that wafts into the entire place and requires windows to be open for at least an hour to air the place out. Smokers: don’t smoke inside the house if roommates express to you not to. You might piss them off to the point where they speak to the landlord and have you evicted. ¢ Speak to your roommates first before having people over; that means before inviting people over and not while they’re already on their way. It’s just common courtesy, and your roommate may have had plans for the place themselves, or just wanted some peace and quiet after a long week. As well, learn to gauge your roommate’s mood and behaviour. If your roommate is in a bad mood, has had a rough week, is sick or has to wake up early the next day, even asking to have people over may be a bad idea. Remember, your place isn’t the only place you have to hang out in. If you must party, maybe have the function elsewhere. ¢ Cleanliness is next to godliness. Every area besides the bedrooms is usually a shared space. It’s common courtesy to keep it clean and tidy. Chore wheels are a handy and fair way to divvy up the work load, and ensure that everyone is doing their share. Splitting up bill responsibility (hydro, internet, cable, etc) is also a good idea. In all, if you have a problem with your roommate, the best way to deal with it is to talk to them about it. If they were any sort of decent human being they’ Il understand and try to do their best to amend it.