One catastrophe away from poverty

A health crisis, divorce or job loss -- just one of these circumstances is enough to send an increasing number of Americans into poverty. An author who has studied the working poor explores the barriers to getting ahead.

Guests

• Katherine Newman: Sociology professor at Princeton and author of "The Missing Class." She's the author of many books on poverty and working poor, including "No Shame in My Game" and "Chutes and Ladders."

More from MPR

• Lack of grocery stores may result in poor nutrition for N. Mpls
  August 24, 2007
• Federal minimum wage goes up; push is on for raise in Minnesota
  July 24, 2007
• Poverty rate for Minnesota children soars
  May 8, 2007
• Minnesotans come face to face with poverty
  April 30, 2007
• Falling Behind
  January 27, 2003

Resources

• About Katherine Newman
• Preserving the American Dream