The Real Cost of Long-Term Unemployment
The costs of long-term unemployment aren’t just financial. Joblessness also takes a tremendous emotional toll and has been linked to depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions.
A growing number of people who have been out of work for an extended period of time are choosing to “start over” by pursuing masters degrees. Many already have college degrees and decades of professional experience. The fact that they have to plow more time and money into education tells you something about how brutal the American job market now is.
A recent piece from CNN profiled Talia and Adam Mobley, of Morris County, New Jersey. This husband and wife couple were laid off about two years ago and now live with their three children in a single bedroom at a friend’s house. Talia has retrained as a health technician. Together, they’ve sent out over 500 resumes.
She’s yet to get a “yes.” And the Mobley’s unemployment checks are about to run out.
There are millions of other families like the Mobleys. They’re suffering. They’re trying to do good by their families. And yet policymakers stand idly by, refusing to create the programs that could help them.
Government needs to take action. The private market isn’t picking up the slack. Targeted, concerted public works projects, like a modern-day Works Progress Administration (WPA) program, would boost employment, rebuild America’s infrastructure, and set the stage for long-term growth and prosperity.
We did it once. Let’s do it now!
sadly nothing will be done. the window of opportunity to turn things around and get things done was lost long ago. their should have been massive protests, and a bombardment of the white house as in the ‘hooverville’, days. people are too unconcerned- even about their OWN lives, too care any more!