European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 13, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Learning to Cope with downward mobility the fading american dream earnings slowdown pm Mii Conn Kiim average Hourt wage f by Steven greenhouse new York times or millions Al average earners. The american dream is becoming the impossible dream the Prospect of owning that split level Home with a two car garage is receding. The unquestioning expectation of earning More Money than one s parents did has died among Many americans who were born during the baby Boom years alter world War ii. Even the most Basic Lenel of the dream that a Young family will be More prosperous in its Middle age. Has grown More elusive. In fact americans now Are smuggling to Light Olf downward mobb Ity at the end of a Century that has stressed upward mobility to Tati tics tall the harsh Story americans must now work hard just to stay in place economically among the statistics average hourly earnings adjusted for inflation. Boomed in the 1950s and 1960a, bul Felt in the 1970s and stumbled along with no real growth in the first half of the 1980s. Average weekly earnings held Down slightly by a Shorter work week have declined by 14.3 percent since 1973. Alter accounting Lor inflation. Median household income which was je6.433 in 19b4, has dipped about 6 percent since 1973. From the end of world War ii to 1973. Everybody was gelling belter of bul from 1973 through now that has  said Frank a. Levy a pro Lassor of Public policy at the University of Maryland. Moonlighting or working at extra jobs a widespread. More married women with Young children Are working than Ever before. With their incomes ailing to keep Pace with their desires americans Are increasingly using credit cards despite the persistently High interest fates. Their Money problems continue to mount. Business. Reeling Isom toughening Competition abroad is keeping a Wigtil rein on wages and on hiring. Many Union workers have tool the Cost of living Erma Bombeck adjustment clauses they negotiated during the years of High inflation. And the Boom thai dazzled Wall Street has left Many average wage earners behind since they hold no stocks except in their pension plans even the lax Bills adopted by the House and Senate do not look like they will give the average american family much Relief. Under either House s version families with the median household income of $26,433 would receive tax cuts of Only $200 or so. Economists generally agree that the Only Way workers can manage to make substantial strides