Last June, The New York Times asked “Why aren’t more men working?” in a story with the same name. The question arose after a Bureau of Labor Statistics survey found that the percentage of working-age men neither working nor looking for work has risen from 14% in 1950 to 31% today.
So what’s the deal?
The Times story offers a couple theories. Perhaps it has to do with greater education barriers or social safety nets, i.e. government assistance or Mom and Dad.
Regardless, it’s perplexing policymakers. What can be done? Should anything be done?
Here’s what we at Chatter know: For those who want to work, there is no shortage of creative ways to make a living in our region. This month, we celebrate the working man. Here, we share the stories of six men, illustrating a diverse and interesting labor force, from a race car driver to a hairdresser to a horse-wrangling youth pastor. These are their motivations for getting up each morning and going to work.