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I don't think it's about the groups having higher status or not, say whites vs blacks, but in the article they say they believe the cause is: "These deaths of
by cbanek 9y ago
I don't think it's about the groups having higher status or not, say whites vs blacks, but in the article they say they believe the cause is:
"These deaths of despair have been accompanied by reduced labor force participation, reduced marriage rates, increases in reports of poor health and poor mental health. So we are beginning to thread a story in that it's possible that [the trend is] consistent with the labor market collapsing for people with less than a college degree. In turn, those people are being less able to form stable marriages, and in turn that has effects on the kind of economic and social supports that people need in order to thrive."
Like you said, the rates are converging when they have a high school degree or less. These are the kinds of people that get hit the hardest when the labor market is collapsing.
It's not that "whites had it before and now they don't", it's "I used to believe I was entitled to a job if I wanted to work hard, and that would pay enough to live, but now that doesn't seem to be true." People just don't know what to do now and are feeling hopeless.
- watwut 9y agoIs there a reason to think they are feeling more hopeless then those who were in that situation longer? That was my point - when you compare groups in same situation, they are similarly hopeless regardless of previous good life or not. It is hard and hopeless for both groups. Other comparisons in article always compared different socioeconomic groups - whites without degree with all blacks - that is not the same because it counts in middle class blacks.
- cbanek 9y agoMaybe "good life" was too strong. Really I meant to say at least positively employed. Losing a job you've had for a while (even if it's just a year) is a pretty big shock. You feel worse losing the job than probably when you were previously unemployed (although you're arguably better off, because at least you were working over that time). I agree it's hard and hopeless for both groups, and I think it's only going to get worse. Comparing hopelessness I don't think really provides much insight though, but what that hopelessness might cause people to do. (increased drug use, suicide, etc.) What my point was is that that hopelessness isn't going to help them retrain and it might actively keep people from seeking it. I think we're missing out on a whole mental health component.