Job and income loss, spiraling gas prices, and growing
residential insecurity top the list of sources of family stress,
according to a report presented last month to the Council on
Contemporary Families. The report, entitled "Families and the
Current Economic Crisis," submitted by Evergreen State
College Professor and historian Stephanie Coontz and CCF
research intern Valerie Adrian, examines the financial dilemmas
facing Americans today, along with the far-reaching
human impact.
HARD TIMES ARE HARD ON MARRIAGES
Economically distressed parents are more likely to use
harsher methods of disciplining their children. Children
living with economic uncertainty and stressed-out parents
are more vulnerable to depression and their expectations
(and motivation) can become lower.
Job loss and sharp fluctuations of income are linked to
unstable marriages.
Some of the highlights of the report include:
FEWER LOANS FOR ASPIRING STUDENTS IN HIGHER
EDUCATION
While higher education has become a necessity for getting
a "good job," one of the unanticipated consequences of the
debt crisis has been that lenders have begun to deny
student loans, not on the basis of a student's financial
profile, but on the school the student attends. Community
college students in particular are getting DISTRESS AFFECTS PARENTING AND CAN SHIFT rejected for loans.
CHILDREN'S OUTLOOK
HOUSEHOLD MOVES OR EVICTIONS MEAN KIDS ARE
UPROOTED FROM SCHOOLS
Two million children are already affected by the sub-prime
mortgage crisis: and there's more to come as rental
properties become less stable and as "regular mortgages"
start to collapse.
Take a deep breath and count the blessings you do have.
Understand that our economy has its ups and downs, and
that things will eventually get better. In the meantime,
eliminate your unnecessary spending and spend conservatively
on those things you do need. And be positive about it.
You'll set a good example for your children when they see
you handle your financial adversity in a positive way. They
might even surprise you by getting a part-time job, helping
out around the house because they see you working extra
hard at your job, or being "on the look-out" for the best gas
prices in town. Finally, couples need to schedule time
together for the simple pleasures in life - taking an evening
walk, enjoying coffee and the Sunday morning newspaper,
or anything that is alone time - free from the stresses of
managing the household and the children.
Children subjected to eviction must often change schools,
sometimes several times: This leads to kids falling behind
in school. School relocation can be a bigger threat to
teens than divorce.
WHAT CAN WE DO?