Describes and assesses major trends in the labor market fortunes of key teenage subgroups in the U.S. during the 1980s. The need for a national policy response to the problem of pervasive joblessness among poor youth is greater in 1986 than at the beginning of this decade. (LHW)

The author discusses women's labor market participation during this century, focusing on the current figure with 70 percent of women age 25 to 54 as labor force participants. She projects that increases will continue, although at a slower pace, between 1986 and 2000. (CH)

The job situation for new chemical engineers with bachelor's degrees is continuing to reflect the gradual improvement that began in 1983. However, companies are looking for graduates with technical expertise as well as marketing, sales, or communications skills. Smaller classes may lead to shortages of chemical engineering graduates in the future.…

Existing data on illegal immigration in the U.S. is inadequate. The limited availability of macrodata on the size of the annual flows and of the accumulated stock of individuals as well as of microdata on their influence on selected labor markets has been used to forestall policy reform efforts. (Author/RDN)

Describes the methods used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to make occupational and economic projections and presents highlights of the forecast for 1995. (SK)

Examines the significance of reclassification in public welfare, focusing on the Michigan plan of reclassification as a case study. The National Association of Social Worker's (NASW's) current strategy in addressing reclassification is evaluated and several alternative strategies and policies for the organization are considered. (JAC)

Discusses policies which, combined with sound macro-economic policies, can contribute to reducing structural and cyclical unemployment without compounding inflation. Topic areas considered include: structural employment policies; temporary measures to promote employment during recovery; restructuring of working time; and role of collective…

Updates a 1976 article explaining the stability of hours of work per week in the U.S. since World War II. It introduces a revised series of the ratio of female to male wages over time. In a reply to this article, Kniesner presents estimates which support his 1976 conclusions. (CT)

The average retirement age for men shifted from 70 in 1950 to 65 in 1970 to 62 in 1985. Whether the trend toward early retirement has ended depends on interpretation of changes in the last 2 decades, including elimination of mandatory retirement, modifications in social security and pension plans, and increased longevity. (Contains 18 references.)…

The authors analyze labor market flexibility and adjustment capabilities of Japan and the United States. They examine the job shift to services and trends in wages, productivity, and exchange rates to judge the international competitive position of each country. (CH)

During 1991-92, 2.8 million workers were displaced from long-held jobs. Compared to a similar recessionary period in the early 1980s, there was higher job loss among older workers and those in service and white-collar occupations and more displacement in the Northeast and West. (SK)

Proposes a model to explain gender-role linked trend of occupational sex segregation, summarizing evidence to support the proposed mediating psychological mechanisms, and discusses the social experiences that shape gender differences on these mediators. Reviews the economic and psychological costs associated with traditional female choices.…

Coming from a variety of disciplines, manufacturing engineers are keys to industry's efforts to modernize, with demand exceeding supply. The newest and fastest-growing areas include machine vision, composite materials, and manufacturing automation protocols, each of which is briefly discussed. (JN)

As the debate over nuclear safety continues, the job market remains healthy for nuclear engineers. The average salary offered to new nuclear engineers with bachelor's degrees is $27,400. Salary averages and increases compare favorably with other engineering disciplines. Various job sources in the field are noted. (JN)

The authors discuss current trends in technology, international trade, and demographics as these relate to the workplace. They also predict probable futures related to these topics and provide implications for educators. (CH)