上个月还住在郊区洋房，下个月就被迫露宿街头。 这种极致的反差，很可能是美国中产的真实人生。根据美国住房与城市发展部（HUD）的官方报告，2024年美国约有77万人处于无家可归状态，其中大 量流浪汉曾有过体面工作。 他们曾是程序员、军人或者小企业主，可以说是典型的中产。 但他们和破产的距离，只隔着一次裁员、生病或者房子断供。在中国，我们习惯把这三者称为中产破产三件套。 体面工作、高额收入带来的稳固生活，其实非常脆弱。 想要持续拥有着一切，那么你就不能失业、不能生病、不能投资失败。 否则，你所拥有的一切将全部归零。 中产，全美国最「惨」的阶层？ 人在美国，从拥有一切到一无所有，很可能只源于： 一次轻微的饭后腹痛。 一个光鲜的美国中产，午后在急诊被确诊为急性阑尾炎，只要进手术室，那么他就有负债的风险。 虽然保险可以报销80%的费用，但自费5000美元（约合人民币3.5万元）的手术账单，依然能让一个中产一朝破产。 在美国，它们有一个更残酷的名字——斩杀线。 斩杀线，原本是游戏中的术语，意为一击即杀。如今几乎成为形容美国中产阶级滑落的专有名词，也成为刺痛全球中产神经的敏感词汇。它意味着： 根据美国财经媒体的统计，全美只 ...

Core Viewpoint - The phenomenon of middle-class poverty is not universal, but the risk of downward mobility among the middle class is significantly high, with certain groups already experiencing notable declines in their economic status [5][6]. Group 1: Middle-Class Dynamics - The public discourse surrounding middle-class poverty stems from the anxiety of middle-class families regarding declining income and quality of life. A healthy society should exhibit two-way mobility, where some individuals ascend while others descend in social status [6]. - If the decline of a portion of the middle class is accompanied by corresponding upward mobility and the scale of change is reasonable, it reflects a normal societal metabolism. However, an overall decline in the middle class is a significant issue [6]. Group 2: Characteristics of the Middle Class - The middle class is defined as a social group primarily earning income through salaries, relying on knowledge and skills for employment, and possessing the ability and willingness to consume leisure goods. According to scholar Li Qiang, the middle class includes traditional cadres, intellectuals, high-educated professionals in IT and finance, employees of large and medium-sized enterprises, as well as individual private business owners and managers of small and medium-sized companies [7].