Session: SPECIAL SESSION: American Misfortune: The Surprising Level of Economic Risk in Our Lives (Research that Promotes Sustainability and (re)Builds Strengths (January 15 - 18, 2009))

Recent events have reminded us of the economic and financial turmoil found in America. Yet economic risk has always been present in our lives. This presentation will discuss a wide range of the author’s life course research that explores the extent and patterns of economic risk across the span of American lives. Topics include the life course chances of encountering poverty, using a social safety net program, not having sufficient savings to get through difficult economic times, losing a home, and job instability. The research and policy implications of this work will also be discussed.