The State of Working Families in Massachusetts

Abstract

The Massachusetts economy, workforce, and families have all undergone substantial changes over the past two decades. This paper, focusing on the labor market pressures facing families, employers, and their communities, summarizes these trends and their interconnections. The data presented in this paper lead us to see work, family, and community issues as tightly joined. They need to be addressed in an integrated fashion for the Massachusetts economy to prosper and for the state be an affordable and attractive place to live.

Keywords: work and family, family income, family earnings, households, employment rates, hours of employment, Massachusetts economy