At Work in the New Economy

The video “At Work in the New Economy” predicted an increasing number of women and minorities entering the work force. This prediction is truly accurate in today’s society. As the gaps between the income classes continue to widen, married women often no longer have a choice to stay home and raise their children. In order for many families to survive in today’s economy, both parents are forced to enter the workforce.

The typical family dynamic is also changing. An increasing number of women are single parents and are often stuck in meaningless, low paying jobs. With more and more women working to support their families, there will be an increased need for higher pay and more benefits like maternity leave, childcare and flex time to attract qualified applicants. The American workforce will also have to adjust to an increasing number of minorities. According to the book by 2025, the growth rate of females in the workforce will slow, while the growth rate of minorities in the workforce will reach an all time high.

The book points out that Latinos and other minorities have the highest work related death rates. The authors go on to say that this rising death rate is due to the increasing amount of Latinos and other minorities working in substandard conditions in jobs like construction, meat packing plants, and as farm laborers. Latinos and other minorities are often stuck working in dangerous and sometimes toxic environments. The video the “Story of Stuff” illustrates the increasing amount of unnecessary chemicals used to manufacture consumer good. When you use toxic chemicals to produce a product, the end result will be a toxic product. Not only is the consumer at risk of exposure to these unnecessary chemicals but the laborers or factory workers are inhaling these toxins day in and day out. Some of these workers will eventually pay the price with shorter life spans and serious illnesses.

As the baby boom generation continues to age and enter retirement, there will be a large demand for qualified employees. As demand outweighs supply in the job market, new opportunities could open up for women and minorities. These changes will hopefully lead to a more diverse, evenhanded and well-rounded work-force.

Another prediction made by the