Money and Computing
The Puzzling Workforce Decline
Marsha Mercer writes: "From World War II to the early 1960s, men 20 to 64 were very, very heavily relied upon" by women and families, Gary Burtless at Brookings said.
Men without a high school diploma were able to hold a stable career and support a family by working in construction and heavy manufacturing. Over the last few decades, many of those jobs have disappeared, and women have become more equal in the workplace.
When manufacturers of cardboard boxes, wire bagel baskets and other products said they needed workers with technological expertise and strong social skills, Maryland officials agreed to set up manufa… more »
Night of the Runaway Wheelchair; A Life-Altering Class
Roberta McReynolds writes: The breeze lifting the hair off my face didn’t originate from any meteorological conditions. It occurred when my wheelchair broke free of my white-knuckled grip at the top of a long ramp, consequently launching me across the parking lot. It felt like I was about to execute an imitation of one of those metal balls in a pinball machine, poised to ricochet off all obstacles in my path, but without the bells and lights. more »
Janet L. Yellen: Remarks on Women's History Month
Women have made great progress in many occupations and professions, but lag in others. In my own profession, there has been a gradual increase in the share of women in economics, but women still remain underrepresented at the highest levels in academia, in government and in business. There are doubtless numerous reasons for this, and in fact economists themselves are among those engaged in trying to understand the factors that explain why more women aren't rising to higher levels. more »
Chris Payne's Photographic Essay, Textiles: Made In America
Chris Payne writes: I pay tribute to the undervalued segment of Americans workers who labor in this manufacturing sector. They are a cross section of young and old, skilled and unskilled, recent immigrants and veteran employees, some of whom have spent their entire working lives in a single factory. Together, they share a quiet pride and dignity, and are proof that manual labor and craftsmanship still have value in the 21st century US economy. more »