Kids and the Economy

It’s tough enough for adults to hear and take. But what about the kids? In families where jobs are lost. In homes where family budgets have gotten thin. In a society where high hopes are under fire and headlines are scary?

How are young Americans taking this economic crisis onboard? What are they asking, and being told? And will it shape them like the Great Depression shaped their grandparents' generation?

This hour, On Point: American kids in the economic crisis.

You can join the conversation. How are your kids taking the crisis onboard? What are the questions in your house over lost jobs, tight budgets? How are you dealing with your kids’ hopes and fears in tough times?Guests:

Joining us from Portland, Oregon, is Sue Shellenbarger, "Work & Family" columnist and senior writer for The Wall Street Journal. She wrote recently about how recession can shape a child's future.

From Great Falls, Virginia, we're joined by Neil Howe. Co-author with William Strauss of numerous books, including "Generations," "13th Gen," "The Fourth Turning," and "Millennials Rising," he's a historian, economist, and demographer who thinks about generational change in America and long-term fiscal policy.

And with us in our studio is Marjorie Mitlin, a licensed social worker in private practice and a school adjustment counselor in the Sharon Public School System in Sharon, Mass.

And during today’s broadcast we heard from kids across the country. We’d like to give a special thanks to Youth Radio for producing the audio in today’s show, and to Youth Mic in New York for collaborating.