the rise of suicide in middle aged white America: retirement no longer bonus, but time of struggle

[appalachiablue]

45. All true Lorien, I remember well the popular 'Roseanne' show. The cost

of homes and other basic necessities have escalated in the last 10-20 years especially. It's obscene, and young people with genuine concerns have been robbed of a decent future unless real change happens soon.
A 'career' is becoming less and less of an opportunity, rapidly being replaced by tasks, multiple projects and irregular jobs, many without benefits, something that was unheard of a few decades ago. I took notice when reading Robert Reich's piece on his website addressing this growing reality and posted here,



*WHY THE SHARING ECONOMY IS HARMING WORKERS – AND WHAT MUST BE DONE*, ROBERT REICH, Nov. 27, '15.

In this holiday season it’s especially appropriate to acknowledge how many Americans don’t have steady work.
The so-called “share economy” includes independent contractors, temporary workers, the self-employed, part-timers, freelancers, and free agents. Most file 1099s rather than W2s, for tax purposes.

-->It’s estimated that in five years over 40 percent of the American labor force will be in such uncertain work; in a decade, most of us. Already two-thirds of American workers are living paycheck to paycheck.

This trend shifts all economic risks onto workers. A downturn in demand, or sudden change in consumer needs, or a personal injury or sickness, can make it impossible to pay the bills. It eliminates labor protections such as the minimum wage, worker safety, family and medical leave, and overtime. And it ends employer-financed insurance – Social Security, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, and employer-provided health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

No wonder, according to polls, almost a quarter of American workers worry they won’t be earning enough in the future. That’s up from 15 percent a decade ago. Such uncertainty can be hard on families, too. Children of parents working unpredictable schedules or outside standard daytime working hours are likely to have lower cognitive skills and more behavioral problems, according to new research. What to do? ~ READ MORE: http://robertreich.org/post/134080559175