Working Hard, Falling Short; America?s Working Families and the Pursuit of Economic Security

October 12, 2004 Working Hard, Falling Short; America's Working Families and the Pursuit of Economic Security The United States of America is often called the "Land of Opportunity," a place where hard work and sacrifice lead to economic success. Across generations, countless families have been able to live out that promise. However, more than one out of four American working families now earn wages so low that they have difficulty surviving financially. These are families with responsible, hard-working breadwinners who want to get ahead but hold down low-paying jobs with inadequate benefits and little hope for advancement . . .