EP 699 Student Loan Debt Has Personal and Societal Impacts

There has been much in the news about student loan debt in America, as well there should.  Not only are those long lingering debts approaching 2 trillion dollars, but the effect radiates out to the whole society.  For the individual clearly it can lead to stress and anxiety, affect career choices and limit flexibility.  In a larger sense it often turns personal decisions into societal concerns.  If family is the foundation of our economic system, built on buying homes, hard goods and starting a family each of these decisions must account for the debt that must be repaid.  Along with issues of intimacy, finances are the key driver of marital strife.  The question may well be asked, even before marriage, about the student loan debt one or both partners have–or it may be shirked and that lack of transparency creates problems down the road.  This is all to say that President Biden’s plan, overruled by the U.S. Supreme Court, and replaced by a process of ‘negotiated rule making’ to ease the burden on certain payees is a big issue for many.  To discuss the implications with us is Darren Moore, Ph.D., a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and clinical professor.  It’s an important conversation.

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