Browse Research and Commentary

What "Lost Decade"? On the Supposed Decline of the American Middle Class

October 1, 2012, Scott Winship

Pathways to the Middle Class: Balancing Personal and Public Responsibilities

September 20, 2012

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I think there is at least a hint that we have hit bottom in this post-recession malaise in the United States. And by that I mean we've not turned up, but we're going down at a slower pace, and we might see a little bit of the glimmer of the light at the end of the tunnel.

September 20, 2012, William H. Frey, National Public Radio

We don't see very important neighborhood effects on those two outcomes that people have focused on. But the things that people had been focused on and worried about with neighborhoods aren't the full story. Helping poor families is about a lot more than just increasing their income.

September 20, 2012, Jens Ludwig, Wall Street Journal

Earnings for middle and lower-wage workers have fallen or stagnated over time. So you can have a situation where jobs are being created ... but the types of jobs matter. If those are jobs that pay low wages, even if you're working full-time, that might not be enough to lift you above the poverty line.

September 20, 2012, Elizabeth Kneebone, 24/7 Wall St

Disappointing Numbers on Income and Poverty: What's Wrong With This Story?

September 17, 2012, Gary Burtless

U.S. Poverty Continues its Post-Recession Grip

September 13, 2012, Elizabeth Kneebone

Poverty and Income in 2011: A Look at the New Census Data and What the Numbers Mean

September 12, 2012

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The New Census Numbers: Some Good News, But Major Challenges Remain

September 12, 2012, Henry J. Aaron

The 2011 Poverty Rate: What to Expect and How Long Will It Last?

September 10, 2012, Isabel V. Sawhill and Kimberly Howard

The Continuing Evolution of American Poverty and Its Implications for Community Development

September 4, 2012, Alan Berube

We don’t have the welfare programs that we have had in the past. The need for individual giving is greater than it has been in modern memory.

August 19, 2012, Bruce Katz, The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Making Sense of Income Inequality

August 13, 2012, Scott Winship

The Great Recession raised poverty rates and reduced household incomes in the vast majority of metro areas. The deep downturn left relatively few places untouched.

July 27, 2012, Alan Berube, Economy in Crisis

Bring Back the American Dream? It’s Not That Hard.

July 17, 2012, Isabel V. Sawhill

@ Brookings Podcast: Causes of and Solutions for U.S. Poverty's Continued Rise

June 22, 2012, Ron Haskins

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‘Tis the Season for the Thurmond Rule

June 14, 2012, Sarah A. Binder

Improving The Lives Of Single Moms And Their Kids

June 12, 2012, Isabel V. Sawhill

Combating Poverty: Understanding New Challenges for Families

June 5, 2012, Ron Haskins

Twenty Years Later, It Turns Out Dan Quayle Was Right About Murphy Brown and Unmarried Moms

May 25, 2012, Isabel V. Sawhill

Reflecting on SNAP: Purposes, Spending, and Potential Savings

May 8, 2012, Ron Haskins

[The price of gas] is the most visible price in the United States. It is in your face, literally as you drive down the street every day.

April 23, 2012, William A. Galston, Reuters

The Ongoing Impact of Foreclosures on Children

March 2012, Julia B. Isaacs

Means-Tested Programs, Work Incentives, and Block Grants

April 17, 2012, Ron Haskins

In Defense of Paul Ryan’s Budget Plan

March 20, 2012, Isabel V. Sawhill