Poll Lays Bare Jobless Toll on Families

Unemployment is taking an alarming toll on the mental health and family life of American workers, a New York Times/CBS poll finds. Some 86% say unemployment has caused a life crisis. Almost half say they've suffered from anxiety and depression, they've argued more with their family and friends since losing their jobs, and their kids are upset about the situation.

More than half say they've cut back on necessities as well as luxuries; one couple with two small children find themselves “saving quarters for diapers.” A quarter have lost their homes, or are threatened with eviction, and a quarter are now on food stamps. Half have no health insurance. Who do they blame for the spike in unemployment? Some 26% fingered Bush, 12% banks, 8% jobs going overseas, 8% politicians in general, and just
3% of those polled blamed President Obama.
(More unemployment stories.)