Weighty Matters 101

Social Issue: Unemployment

The economy has shed some 6.7 million jobs since December 2007, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Joblessness has become a major social, economic, social, and political issue worldwide, as well as a fact of life for a growing number of involuntarily unemployed men, women, and their families.

Unemployment effects the whole economy, not just those unfortunate to be unemployed.  Unemployment represents a private cost to those directly effected by it; a loss of income, and if unemployment is long term, a potential loss of skills as well. Unemployment is also a social cost to our community. Unemployment is associated with higher levels of family breakdowns, alcohol and drug abuse, and suicide.

High levels of unemployment increases the level of income inequality. There is concern that an underclass of the long term unemployed is developing in this country. This also includes those who are employed on a short-term, basis in poorly paying jobs.

Rising unemployment is linked to social and economic deprivation ; there is some relationship between rising unemployment and rising crime and worsening social dislocation (increased divorce, worsening health and lower life expectancy).  Areas of high unemployment will also see a decline in real income and spending together with a rising scale of relative poverty and income inequality.

Joblessness can hit individual job-seekers hard. Lacking a job often means lacking social contact with fellow employees, a purpose for many hours of the day, lack of self-esteem, mental stress and illness, and of course, the ability to pay bills and to purchase both necessities and luxuries. This last is especially serious for those with family obligations, debts, and/or medical costs, especially in a country such as the U.S., where the availability of health insurance is often linked to holding a job. Increasing unemployment raises the crime rate, the suicide rate, and increases bad health.