Because a person has to be either working or looking for work to be counted as part of the labor force, an increase in the number of people too discouraged to continue their search for work would reduce the unemployment rate, all else being equal - but not for a positive reason.

For many of us, owning a home signaled a passage into adulthood that coincided with the start of a career and family.

The children of the unemployed achieve less in school and appear to have reduced long-term earnings prospects.

Ben Bernanke Quotes