Finance & economics | Death of despair

American men are getting back to work

The ultra-gloomy picture painted by politicians is no longer accurate

Construction workers at a high-rise jobsite in Miami.
Photograph: Scott McIntyre/The New York Times/Redux/Eyevine
|Washington, DC

America’s politicians have long worried about the rising share of men out of work. More on the sidelines means slower economic growth, heftier benefit payments and a frailer social fabric. During the election campaign, both candidates have offered policies designed to tackle this long-standing problem. Donald Trump proposes sweeping tariffs and clamping down on illegal immigration. Kamala Harris vows to revive traditional male sectors, not least manufacturing.

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This article appeared in the Finance & economics section of the print edition under the headline “Despair no more”

From the November 2nd 2024 edition

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