New jobless claims fall less than expected
Taylor Tashima
Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35813703/
Summary:
A government report showed that they are less people filing for unemployment insurance than three weeks before. The labor market is showing signs that it's steadying from the “worst hit by the most painful economic downturn since the 1930s”. Some government data showed that the month of January a lot of jobs opened up and economic indicators think that this will continue.
Connection:
We are currently learning about the Great Depression in class. We are having the same unemployment problems in America today as we were in the 1930s when the Great Depression struck. However, for the first time, things are looking better.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you think less people filled for unemployment?
2. Do you agree or disagree that we are going through the worst economic downturn since the 1930s? Why?
3. Do you think that the number of unemployed people will decrease or increase? Why?
Discussion Question Answers:
1. I think less people filled for unemployment because people are starting to hire again and there may be more opportunities available. Thinking that the recession might be over, people might have been more optimistic and searched for jobs.
2. I believe that we are going through the worst recession since the Great Depression because so many people have lost their jobs in the last two years and don't have any money. Banks are closing and people aren't spending as much money as they were five years ago. It has done a lot of damage.
3. The number of unemployed people will decrease because people are gaining confidence. When people gain confidence, customers spend more of their money, giving it to the stores. When stores have more money and the confidence that their store is selling, they will hire more employees.
Comments (6)
Zalman G said
at 1:42 pm on Mar 19, 2010
1. People are filing for unemployment because more jobs are being created.
2. We are going through the worst hit on our economy since the 1930's.
3. The number will decrease because President Obama is doing a good job with the stimulus package. Also, if the current statistics continue, unemployment will decrease.
Emma N said
at 12:32 pm on Mar 21, 2010
1. I believe less people filed for unemployment because of the greater number of jobs now available on the market. The more jobs open up, the less unemployment there will be.
2. I do agree, however, I know that it is not nearly as bad as the Great Depression. The Depression had 25% unemployment, while we have 10-12%. Also, I am not aware of any other seriously economic downfalls we've had since the 1930's, so it does seem that this is the worst since then.
3. I believe it will increase.Hopefully, once everyone begins to hear that things are getting better, more and more people will get back on their feet and start spending, which will stimulate our economy. When that happens, more jobs will open up and our situation will stabilize.
Britney S. said
at 2:37 pm on Mar 21, 2010
1. I believe less people filed for unemployment because we have already been through the worst time. I think we already had the biggest slump and that it can only get better. It might be a bit rocky, but the worst is over.
2. The Great Depression was one of the worst times of this country, millions lost jobs and people barely made it. I agree that this has been the closest downturn since the Great Depression, however I do not know much of any other recession, so I could be wrong.
3. I believe the unemployment number will lower. Hopefully, people gain confidence in the economy and they will start buying. When people buy, the economy gets better and then companies hire people. Resulting in a lower unemployment level.
Noor Q said
at 5:21 pm on Mar 21, 2010
1. I think less people filed for unemployment, because more jobs are opening up, and since businesses are recovering they are more willing to hire. Also, I think it can really only get better, considering we've survived the worst.
2. Although I don't really know much about any other recession, it seems to me that we've reached an extreme low point. However, this does not compare with the devastation of the great depression. So yes, I think its accurate to call it the "most painful economic downturn since the 1930s”
3. I think the unemployment numbers will decrease gradually. We are carefully regaining confidence in the economy, in turn helping businesses, in turn helping open up jobs.
elisa h said
at 6:56 am on Mar 23, 2010
1) Less people filed for unemployment because there are new jobs available and less people are losing money because we are trying to pull out of the recession. With more and more money circulating more jobs are being created and that in return will create more money.
2) I wouldn't really know whether we're going through the worst recession since the 1930's because I never studied or lived in other time periods with hard economic times. But this seems to be the worst economic downfall we've had yet because it effected so many people.
3) More jobs will probably be created and unemployment will decrease because we are pulling out of the recession. The economy is filled with ups and downs so we've finally started to curve up again.
Hannah B said
at 4:42 pm on Mar 23, 2010
1. Why do you think less people filled for unemployment? I think less people filed for unemployment because new jobs have been created and we are beginning to get out of the recession.
2. Do you agree or disagree that we are going through the worst economic downturn since the 1930s? Why? Well, this seems to me to be a very low point in the economy. To me this seems to be the worst economic slump since the 1930s.
3. I think more jobs will become available as we bounce back from this recession. Hopefully more jobs can be created as a result of that.
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