America's Changing Workforce

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses rising unemployment levels that reflect the changing demographics of the modern American workforce, in terms of the age of workers, gender and ethnicity. The paper discusses how industries are closing, downsizing, or outsourcing, while illegal immigrants are taking many jobs. The paper also asserts that the American education system is falling behind much of the world. The paper concludes that the U.S. cannot wait to be outdone by nations who offer better opportunities, provide better education and benefits that encourage workers to be more productive and loyal.

From the Paper:

"While some politicians crow about the low rate of unemployment in the U.S., the facts are somehow different. For one thing, there is such a phenomenon now known as "outsourcing" where companies find it far cheaper to train and hire people in outlying countries like India, Bangladesh, and other Southeast Asian nations to handle customer service phones as well as growing IT tasks. In addition, the excuse for illegal immigration from Mexico and Central America is that these people do the jobs Americans do not want to do- especially difficult farm labor. We now are also faced with the specter of downsizing by giant automotive firms- GM and Ford, in particular, are in the process of closing plants and laying off tens of thousands of workers. So, what are these production and white collar workers going to do? Most of them are not at retirement age. These factors, among others, are creating a different and not altogether pleasant look at what the demographics now show about America's working people."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Challenger, J.:A.: "Working in the Future- How Today's Trends Are Shaping Up Tomorrow's Jobs" Futurist Nov/Dec 2005 vol.39, no. 6, pp 47-50
• Colvin, L. "In the Relentless, Global, Tech-Driven, Cost-Cutting Struggle for Business--America Isn't Ready" Fortune, Vol. 152, Issue 2, July 25, 2005 pp70+
• Fox-Genovese, E. :: "Claims That Women Face Discrimination in the Workplace Are Exaggerated." Opposing Viewpoints". San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001.
• Hoffa, J. P. and Fraser, A. A. : "In America's Best Interest: Keep the American Dream American" American Legion Magazine, Dec. 2005, Vol. 159, no. 6, pp 18-21
• Nelson, J.: "Minorities Face Bleak Retirement" USA Today, Sept. 26, 2003, p 13A

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