Economic Impact on Families Affects More Than Finances

In these trying economic times, most of us know at least a few people who have lost their job. Loss of a “breadwinning” income can have devastating effects on a family, resulting in losing homes, cars and other financial disasters like having to file for bankruptcy.

Aside from the inability to pay the household’s bills and provide basic necessities, the impact can be more than just financial. Financial problems can create much added stress on even the most loving and well-adjusted families, and can put serious strain on a marriage.

So many people, including myself, have lost a job within these past two to three years. Through no fault of our own, we were all simply victims of these harsh economic times. Formerly successful businesses have failed, forcing them to let go of several valuable workers because the company no longer has the means to keep paying their salaries.

I personally know of several families right in my area that have suffered major consequences of job loss. They have been forced into accepting alternative jobs that they would normally never have chosen, simply to maintain the financial status quo or meet basic needs.

These people have had to take jobs that require them to be away from home much of the week. Some have taken on jobs that require frequent travel, keeping them on the road and away from their families most of the week. This not only leaves the children without one parent for much of the time but also puts an added strain on the parent who is left behind to take care of the family with no help from their spouse or significant other. The parent left at home will have to maintain all of their own routine responsibilities, which may even include working outside the home, and then assume any roles the other parent might play around the house.

Others who have already uprooted from their established homes in another part of the country have found themselves without the job for which they moved their family for because the company has since failed. Thus, some find the need to actually have to fly out at the beginning of the week, leaving spouse and children behind, and return later in the week.

These people are loving and dedicated spouses and parents and are doing everything they can to keep their family intact, while they themselves, have to sacrifice this valuable, quality time with those they love. It is truly a sad economic time in America when families actually have to split apart simply to survive. As you can see, the impact is far more serious than the financial aspect alone. Here’s hoping and praying for an improvement in the economy, which cannot happen soon enough.


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