Households

essay

Why Are U.S. Military Families Experiencing Food Insecurity?

Around a quarter of active-duty service members qualify as “food insecure.” But what's causing that, how to fix it—even what it means—is not clear. Food insecurity is a multifaceted problem that needs multifaceted solutions.

commentary

The Inflation Pain You Don't See

Official statistics don't capture the pain of inflation for many Americans. That's because there's something wrong with how we define the middle class. Far more American households earn a middle-class income than enjoy a middle-class lifestyle.

George Zuo @GeorgeWZuo

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Most Americans Consider Themselves Middle-Class. But Are They?

There are different ways of determining who should be considered middle-class. But there is one thing they have in common: All reveal that the middle class in the United States is shrinking.

Jeffrey B. Wenger, Melanie A. Zaber @MelanieZaber

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Veterans Day, Psychedelic Drug Policy, Family Caregivers: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on supporting veterans with mental health and substance use disorders, changes to psychedelic drug policy, the vital role of family caregivers, and more.

blog

Online Shopping, Living in a Riskier World, Stress in Communities: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on Americans' online shopping habits during the pandemic, living in a riskier world, how stress builds in communities, and more.

commentary

A Tale of Two Americas

Economic pain in the United States is obvious and palpable everywhere except in the stock market. This spotlights inequality that has been increasing for decades. Undoing disparities will require firm policy commitment over many years.

Krishna B. Kumar

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Fighting Poverty with Taxes

As the debate over tax reform continues, finding ways to help the most disadvantaged segment of the population should be considered. Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and outreach to low-income populations could increase incentive to file or promote awareness about benefits and generate positive impacts in the longer term.

Patricia K. Tong

commentary

Why More Young Workers Are Relying on Financial Help from Parents

As today's young adults grapple with a difficult job market, high tuition costs, and rapidly rising rents, parents are increasingly providing financial support and other forms of assistance.

Kathryn A. Edwards

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We Still Know Little About Financial Well-Being

There is a clear link between UK employees being concerned about their finances and negative health and well-being. The challenge for researchers is that financial well-being is hard to measure.

Marco Hafner, Christian Van Stolk

commentary

Curbing Globalisation Won't Halt the Rise of Inequality

Globalization may be one of many factors driving inequality. But ending trade agreements and throwing up trade barriers is unlikely to stop this trend.

Stijn Hoorens @StijnHoorens

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Why Rents Have Gone Through the Roof in New Orleans and Across the Nation

The rental affordability crisis was caused by declining incomes since 2000, the slowing of new construction, households getting smaller, and the seven million foreclosures during the recession. It is a national problem in need of a national solution.

Richard K. Green, Heather L. Schwartz @schwartz_hl, et al.

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HeForShe Can Start at Home

It's hardly shocking that women do most of the housework, but a recent RAND study found that even where the female partner earns more than the male partner, she still contributes a far larger proportion of her time to household tasks: 21 hours per week compared to 13.

Flavia Tsang

commentary

Understanding the Affordable Care Act

One of the chief aims of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the expansion of insurance coverage to individuals who at present either cannot afford it or choose not to purchase it. Unfortunately, many Americans lack the financial literacy needed to navigate the numerous and complex options thrust upon them by the ACA.

Sebastian Bauhoff, Katherine Grace Carman, et al.