Sociology of Wealth
Newly unearthed records rewrite the history of North America’s basic income experiments
A re-analysis of historic North American basic income experiments, aided by newly digitized archival records, overturns decades of conventional wisdom on how guaranteed cash affects work hours, divorce rates, and household happiness.
How social safety nets are linked to longer lives globally
A comprehensive analysis of multi-decade global data shows that countries with more generous welfare systems and social safety nets tend to experience longer life expectancies, more healthy life years, and lower maternal mortality rates.
Can rebuilding blighted lots pay for itself? Savannah’s two-decade record suggests yes
Two decades of housing data from Savannah, Georgia, show that replacing blighted lots with affordable homes boosts neighboring property values by up to 35 percent, provided cities concentrate their investments on specific blocks.
How high school jobs impact mid-life career success
A three-decade study following high school students into their mid-forties reveals that holding a steady part-time job with moderate hours leads to higher adult wages, while working long hours limits college attainment.
How the baby boom generation shaped a 50-year wage slump for young workers
A new demographic study finds that the massive size of the baby boom generation suppressed wages for decades. As this cohort finally retires, researchers project a severe labor shortage that could significantly drive up wages for younger workers.
What Chinese beauty influencers reveal about the limits of the Silicon Valley playbook
A five-year study of Chinese male beauty influencers finds they reshape ideas about masculinity and beauty without the diversity language, or the structural battles, common among Western creators, suggesting the "influencer" model is not universal.
Fewer than 4 in 10 investors use this fraud safeguard. New research explains the gap
Fewer than 38 percent of U.S. investors name a "trusted contact" for their accounts. A new study finds financial knowledge boosts sign-ups, but only where people already trust their communities.
Do the rich spend less time on money? A new study says the opposite
Americans spend just 8.3 minutes a day on financial chores, yet rank them among the least enjoyable parts of daily life. A new study maps who spends that time and who feels the strain most.
When a “good economy” feels worse: How economic optimism can deepen a sense of powerlessness
A study of American and Canadian workers finds that for people struggling with money, believing the economy is thriving is linked to feeling more powerless, not less.
Early career stability is linked to savings and homeownership, even after accounting for income
A UK study finds that a steady start in the labor market is linked to owning a home and building savings by age 32, and that family wealth tends to amplify those gains for people who already started...