Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
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Most Americans think of themselves as working class today. While the identity is widely adopted by people across all income and educational groups, seeing oneself as working class has a heavy political tinge and differs by race and ethnicity.
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More people are having trouble keeping up with their student-loan payments than in years past, several studies show.
A record 37% of young households had outstanding student loans in 2010 and a median student debt of $13,000.
When asked about the future prospects of “children today,” Americans generally said that when today’s kids grow up, they would be worse off financially than their parents. While this is a pretty glum judgment about what lies ahead for today’s children, Americans’ optimism resurfaces when people are asked about their own kids.
Among mothers with professional degrees, such as medical degrees, law degrees or nursing degrees, 11% are out of the workforce in order to care for their families, as are 9% of Master’s degree holders and 6% of mothers with a Ph.D.
Americans’ assessment of the economy appears to be at odds with official unemployment statistics. But looking more deeply at job openings, hires and quits can help explain the disconnect.
