recently read an article that concluded that, when adjusted for inflation, paychecks today have nearly the same purchase power as they did 40 years ago. As a layperson, I take this to mean that, while the ordinary American's standard of life hasn't increased in several decades, it hasn't deteriorated either. I'm struggling to reconcile this figure with the "shrinking middle class" and the need for people to work several jobs to make ends meet, both of which have progressively evolved over the same 40-year period. I assume the answer is growing housing, school, and healthcare costs, but aren't these things factored into the inflation adjustment calculation?

recently read an article that concluded that, when adjusted for inflation, paychecks today have nearly the same purchase power as they did 40 years ago. As a layperson, I take this to mean that, while the ordinary American's standard of life hasn't increased in several decades, it hasn't deteriorated either. I'm struggling to reconcile this figure with the "shrinking middle class" and the need for people to work several jobs to make ends meet, both of which have progressively evolved over the same 40-year period. I assume the answer is growing housing, school, and healthcare costs, but aren't these things factored into the inflation adjustment calculation?

Economics:

10th Edition

ISBN:9781285859460

Author:BOYES, William

Publisher:BOYES, William

Chapter7: Unemployment And Inflation

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 16E

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