Old White Men Get Canned First

It's not a good time to be over 55, white, and male. USA Today reports that the "last in, first out" policy followed during previous recessions has been turned on its head. Jobless rates for white men older than 55 were at 6.5 percent in the second quarter this year, the highest they've been since the Great Depression. The decline of unions is playing a part in the erosion of this segment of the work force. Says USA Today, "The recession has hit older men hard because job loss has been concentrated in male-dominated fields, such as construction, manufacturing and finance."