Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
Troy Paino
The History of Inequality in America
Stacey Jones and Cameron Hub
Causes and Consequences of Inequality
Section I: Economic Inequality
Immigration
Robert J. Gitter
Intergenerational Mobility
Robert Perrucci and Carolyn Cummings Perrucci
Labor Markets
Lauren DiRago-Duncan and Robert S. Rycroft
Monopolization and Rent Seeking
Devin Wiggs and Beth Redbird
Technological Change
Thomas E. Lehman and Brady W. Conn
Wealth Inequality
Kimberley L. Kinsley and Robert S. Rycroft
Workplace Discrimination
Jared A. Knowles and Erin E. George
Section II: Educational Services
Early Childhood Education
Patricia Crain de Galarce and Anna Maria Jones
Higher Education
Josipa Roksa and Blake R. Silver
Section III: Health and Health Care
Access to Health Care
Joel B. Teitelbaum and Laura G. Hoffman
Economic Status and Health
Gesine K. Hearn
Substance Abuse
Thomas S. Weinberg
Section IV: Housing and Communities
Food Deserts
Renee E. Walker and Tamicah Gelting
Housing and Neighborhoods
Haydar Kurban
Section V: Family Life and Inequality
Marriage, Cohabitation, and Divorce
Chris Wienke
Parenting Styles
Shannon N. Davis and Myriam Halimi
Section VI: Environment
Environmental Justice
Angela G. Mertig
Section VII: Justice System
Civil Justice
Kimberley L. Kinsley
Criminal Justice
Dana Hubbard
Section VIII: Consumer Issues
Consumer Credit and Payday Loans
Katie Fitzpatrick
Financial Education
Ivan C. Roten, Madeline Hamiter, and Jarrod Johnston
Section IX: Public Policy
Cash Assistance to the Poor
Justin Jarvis and Garrett Lee Fiegenbaum
Children and Family Policy
Elizabeth M. Legerski
Community Development Programs
Rhonda Phillips
Education Reform Policies
Christy Irish and Allison Ward Parsons
Food and Nutrition Programs
Analisa Packham
Health Insurance
Alice Louise Kassens
Housing Inequality
Lei Zhang
Regulation of Labor Markets
John D. Abell and Elizabeth Perry-Sizemore
Taxes
Henry Ordower
Section X: The Future of Inequality
Is Inequality a Threat to Democracy?
Oren M. Levin-Waldman
The Future of Inequality in America
Kristen Tzoc and Heather Beth Johnson
Editors and Contributors
Index

Promotional Information

This authoritative reference work explores the factors driving the much-debated increase in economic inequality in U.S. society, as well as the impact that this divide is having on U.S. culture, politics, families, communities, and institutions.

About the Author

Robert S. Rycroft, PhD, is professor of economics at the University of Mary Washington, USA.

Kimberley L. Kinsley, JD, MA, is senior lecturer of business law in the College of Business at the University of Mary Washington, USA.

Reviews

This compendium is recommended for high-school and undergraduate libraries or for any library collection serving readers who follow economic and political discourse.
*Booklist*

A well-written and cogently organized work that expertly reflects the current financial and social inequalities in American life and possible ramifications if they go unaddressed.
*Library Journal*