I didn't ask for a subjective evaluation of standard of living. The question is, can a man fresh out of college afford to marry, buy a house, have his wife stay at home, and have a couple of children within a year or two of graduation?
The answer of course is "No." - even if they forgo cable TV, a new car, cellphones, and so on. Keep in mind that we are comparing today's college graduate to yesterday's high school graduate.
The reality of the situation is that we have moved from a family supported by one wage earner with no consumer debt to a family supported by two wage earners that is drowning in consumer debt.
Subjective evaluations of standard of living that take into account burning the furniture to stave off the approaching winter don't count.
Incidentally, just the other day I heard an advertisement for the '50 year mortgage.'
When I think back 50 years ago, my father had just started his family. His wife did not work because she was raising two boys. He was a physician, so he had gone well past a college education.
The family had one car, eventually having two. Thirteen years later, after living in rental houses, he purchased his first home.
So maybe you have a completely different recollection of what was the norm 50 years ago, but it's far different than mine.
Sure, if he/she studies something that is demanded by our economy. Engineers average more than $50,000 a year coming out of a four-year program. Accounting majors earn about $44,000 on average; Economics and Finance about $43,000; Nurses around $39,000. Average Starting Salaries
If these grads watch their money they can certainly afford to buy a starter home in a short period of time (just like my parents 50 years ago). Thanks to new financial products that weren't available back then, they can afford to buy a home without having to save more than 20% for a down payment.
You mentioned marriage. If a grad marries another grad, now they're earning about $80,000 (or more) combined. You tell me, can they afford the things people 50 years ago could on that income? Actually, they can afford more. Besides, why would you want the wife to stay at home? Why shouldn't she be able to pursue a career? Are there more opportunities now for women in the workplace than there were 50 years ago?
This nonsense about things being better 50 years ago is just that: Nonsense.