High wire : the precarious financial lives of American families / Peter Gosselin.

Author/creator Gosselin, Peter
Format Book
Publication InfoNew York : Basic Books, ©2008.
Descriptionx, 374 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm
Subjects
Economic security--United States.
Households--Economic aspects. --United States.
Families--Economic aspects. --United States.
United States--Economic policy.
United States--Social policy.

Portion of title Precarious financial lives of American families
Contents Preface -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Benefits -- 3. The numbers -- 4. Jobs -- 5. Unjobs -- 6. The poor -- 7. Housing -- 8. Education -- 9. Health -- 10. Retirement -- 11. New Orleans -- Methods -- Acknowledgments -- Notes -- Index.
Abstract The U.S. economy has had 25 years of some of the strongest, smoothest growth in its history--economists have even named it: "the Great Moderation." So why have so many of us arrived at the new century with a gnawing sense that events are moving against our families and ourselves? Drawing on interviews with hundreds of Americans and new statistics he developed, economics journalist Gosselin traces a quarter-century shift of economic risk from the broad shoulders of business and government to the backs of working people, a shift that has shaken the pillars of most families' lives--stable jobs, solid benefits, government protections. The change means that the benefits of growth come at greater peril, and your financial fall will be steeper if you stumble. This threat to working Americans' security--and what to do about it--is a pressing concern to economists, policy-makers, and everyone who works for a living.--From publisher description.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (p. 335-365) and index.
LCCN 2008003962
ISBN0465002250 (hardcover : alk. paper)
ISBN9780465002252 (hardcover : alk. paper)

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Joyner General Stacks HC 106.83 .G67 2008 ✔ Available Place Hold