Half(!) the population in the U.S. has an IQ under 100. IQ is a measure of reasoning and problem-solving ability, and it has remarkably high predictive validity. In today’s complex, information-centric society, an IQ below 100 can mean a challenging life.
Even people with higher IQs may struggle to stay afloat, so how do low-IQ people cope, even if not a victim of the unexpected catastrophe: losing a job, bad diagnosis for themselves or a loved one, or losing their home in the LA fires.
They’re less likely to have sufficiently remunerative employment and are more likely to lose their job. If the work is cognitively demanding, they may struggle to learn it and to apply it in non-standard situations, which may be common. They’re less capable of solving life’s myriad problems: from arguing with a health insurer to figuring out what to do about a leak, to keeping track of all the details to file income tax returns, even if you hire a tax preparer. They’re less capable of making much difference even to a small sphere of influence, let alone to society. That can make one feel meaningless.
POSSIBLE MITIGATIONS
A job that few people compete for. For example, I know a small man who works cleaning the insides of oil refinery tanks. He gets paid well and is proud that he’s “man enough” to do that job that is essential yet that few people could or want to do. Similar: pest control, garbage collector, and outdoor equipment repairer — from cell towers to sewer repair.
Ask for help? Decide, situation by situation, if it’s wise to struggle with it, ask for help and from whom, or decide you can’t do it.
Creative outlet, perhaps a simple side hustle such as making a hand-made gift item, maybe something less common than the usual mug or jewelry. A potholder? Servicing some machine, like printing presses? Flowers you grow from seed and sell the little plants with heart-shaped labels? Or write, perform, or draw just for its own sake.
Helping someone. If we’re helping others, we feel better about ourselves both because we feel virtuous and it may remind us that others have it worse than we do.
Love, whether romantic, platonic, familial, or a pet — I love my doggie. Especially people who have a tough life often find major meaning in relationships, including parenting.
Gardening. I never tire of planting seeds, watching the miracle of growth, the beauty of flowers, picking home-grown fruit, even pruning and weeding. Gardening is comforting, distressing, and something anyone can do. Even if you live in an apartment, houseplants can provide much of gardening’s pleasure, for example, pothos, coleus, or African violet.
Exercise is an anti-depressant that’s also healthy. I’ve come to believe my mother is right: Walking is the best exercise.
Gratitude for the simple things. My faves are coffee, quiet, simple conversation, beautiful music, food, especially the first bite of a favorite, and my aforementioned doggie.
I can only imagine what life is like for the 14 percent of people with an IQ below 85.
