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High School Students Get Economics Lesson

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

jpatino@tampatrib.com

Published: February 18, 2009

TAMPA - In about 30 minutes, more than 200 Jesuit High students received a sobering yet hopeful speech on the economy and its future.

Rodney Johnson, president of HS Dent, an economic research firm, spoke to the students about how demographics and populations influence the economy.

"The choices they students make affect them," said Johnson, 42, of Tampa Palms. "And the choices others make will create or close the opportunity they have in the future."

Generally, people spend the most money when they have families, Johnson said. Although the U.S. economy has contracted, there is hope because adults are having children. The children of the baby boomers are having the most children since the late 1950s and early 1960s, Johnson said.

The United States also is helped by immigrants because they increase the number of people contributing to the economy, Johnson said.

Countries such as Italy and Japan face a challenging future because they have low birth rates, he said.

Johnson said the economic stimulus won't save the economy because it won't encourage spending, specifically among baby boomers, many of whom have raised their children and now are saving for retirement.

Johnson predicts the United States will spend six more years in a "choppy' economic funk.

Vindri Gajadhar, Jesuit High's global studies teacher, invited Johnson to speak. With his son in her class, Gajadhar and Johnson began a dialogue. She invited him to give the students a real-world perspective.

"It brings what we study to life," Gajadhar said.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.

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