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Unemployment in the United States
Franciscus's Stand
"There is also the damage caused by the export of solid waste and toxic liquids to developing countries, and by the pollution
produced by companies which operate in less developed countries in ways they could never do at home, in the countries in which they raise their capital:
“We note that often the businesses which operate this way are multinationals. They do here what they would never do in developed countries or the so-called first world.
Generally, after ceasing their activity and withdrawing, they leave behind great human and environmental liabilities such as unemployment, abandoned towns, the depletion
of natural reserves, deforestation, the impoverishment of agriculture and local stock breeding, open pits, riven hills, polluted rivers and a handful of social works which are no longer sustainable”. (Francis, 2015)
Background
Since 2010, an increase in the number of jobs resulted in a steadily decreasing unemployment rate in the United States (Figure 2: Brand, 2014).
Since the unemployment rates have dropped, the poverty levels have begun to fall as well. There are many reasons as to why the rates have dropped at such a constant pace.
An increase in different types of jobs is one of the main reasons, and some individuals have started their own businesses. Another reason behind the drops in the unemployment
rates is due to a drastic change in the demographics of the country. Many types of industries are beginning to open up different types of job opportunities to those who may
have a hard time finding a job. Positions such as filing associates is one that is used to employ mant individuals with very basic background experience and education.
Figure 2. Unemployment Rate in the United States (Brand 2014).
Reasons For Unemployment
The growing population in the United States is one of the main causes for the rising unemployment rates. Since the amount
of jobs available does not increase in alignment with the population, unemployment occurs. Another main reason behind
unemployment is the current technological advances in different industries. Since the levels of technology continue to
advance and machines are doing many of the tasks that workers once had to do, the need for these jobs decreases.
(Figure 3: Brand, 2014)
References
Brand, Chad.
2014. U.S. Unemployment Rate Drops To Historical Average in January.
Retrieved on 13 September 2015, from http://www.peridotcapital.com/2014/02/u-s-unemployment-rate-drops-historical-average-january.html.
Francis, 2015. Encyclical letter Laudato Si’ of the Holy Father Francis on Care For Our Common Home. August 28, 2015, from "http://m.vatican.va/content/francescomobile/en/encyclicals/docments/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html.
Trading Economics, 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015, from http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/unemployment-rate.