Answer :
The student's question pertains to the definition of employment and unemployment by the BLS. Ted, a stay-at-home parent, is not counted as unemployed, whereas Alice could be counted as unemployed if she is actively seeking work after her job loss. The answer to their question is (c) Both Ted and Alice, provided Alice is seeking employment.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) counts someone as employed if they have worked at least one hour as a paid employee or 15 hours as an unpaid worker in a family-owned enterprise, or if they have been temporarily absent from their regular job (e.g., due to illness, vacation, etc.). A person is considered unemployed if they are jobless, actively seeking work in the prior four weeks, and are currently available for work.
Now, evaluating whether Ted or Alice would be counted as "unemployed" by the BLS:
- (a) A husband who willingly stays home with children (like Ted) is not counted as unemployed because he is neither seeking work nor available for employment.
- (b) A recently laid-off manufacturing worker would be counted as unemployed if actively seeking and available for work.
- (c) An unpaid intern is usually not considered unemployed as the internship may be considered a form of education or training, rather than employment.
- (d) A retiree is not considered part of the labor force and hence not counted as unemployed.
So, based on these criteria, the correct answer to the student's question is (c) Both Ted and Alice, assuming the additional context is that Alice has been laid off and is actively seeking employment.
Regarding common unemployment rates in the U.S. economy, typically:
- non-White populations often have higher unemployment rates than White populations,
- the young experience higher rates of unemployment compared to the middle-aged,
- and people with only high school diplomas generally have higher unemployment rates compared to college graduates.
