Pat Hastings has been awarded a $51,000 grant from the Peterson Foundation and Ford Foundation as part of the US 2050 initiative. His project, “Class Gaps in Parental Investments in Children: How will Changes to Family Structure Affect Socio-Economic Divides in Parental Investments?”, will examine the relationship in the U.S. between parental investments in children and family structure, and then—by combining the results with demographic projects of family structure—generate new projections how of class gaps in parental investment are likely to evolve in the coming decades.

Peter G. Peterson Foundation’s August 20, 2018 press release by Jeremy Rosen:

Thirty-one research papers commissioned to analyze demographic, socioeconomic, and fiscal trends that will shape America’s future economy and society

NEW YORK (August 20, 2018) — The Peter G. Peterson Foundation and the Ford Foundation today announced $1.5 million in grant awards for US 2050, a unique research initiative examining the multiple demographic, economic, societal, and fiscal trends shaping America in the decades ahead.

The funding supports 31 new research papers authored by leading scholars and experts in the areas of demographics, poverty, labor economics, macroeconomics, political science, and sociology. Taking a cross-disciplinary approach, US 2050 will create a comprehensive view of our fiscal and economic future, exploring the implications for the social and financial well-being of Americans. This unique body of research seeks to add long-term perspective to the public debate about the complex challenges that lie ahead for America in order to help policymakers prepare for the future.

“America is in the midst of a profound transformation — with demographic, social, economic, and technological changes underway that will reshape our future in ways that are not yet fully understood,” said Michael A. Peterson, Chairman and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. “Through US 2050, this remarkable group of researchers will give us a clearer understanding of our changing nation. By offering new insights into what the future holds, we can help lawmakers set policies for the long term that can ensure economic opportunities and better quality of life for Americans in the decades ahead.”

“The trajectory of inequality in the United States is pernicious but not unstoppable, but we must have a clear handle on the emerging trends if we are going to have an opportunity to change course,” said Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation. “It seems like a bygone era when we could agree on the facts to create sound public policy to improve the lives of all Americans, but it’s a necessary component and why we are excited about this project and our partnership with the Peterson Foundation.”

The central research question of US 2050 explores how the changing demographics of America — including age, race, ethnicity, and other factors — affect the future fiscal and economic health of the nation, and what are the optimal policies to prepare for and respond to the challenges and opportunities that this future presents. US 2050 research projects will address transformative topics and help connect the dots between a range of interrelated issues, including: labor force participation, education, poverty, immigration, fertility, health status, caregiving, family structure, retirement savings, the future of political institutions, and more.

US 2050 paper titles, authors, and institutions as well as more information about the two foundations is available here.