Holiday season exposes widening disparity among American families
Vastia Sylvester told her teenage daughter weeks ago: no Christmas gifts this year. The single mother usually goes all out. In 2019, she spent more than $1,000 on an iPhone, Nintendo Switch and other gifts for her family. But this year has been âstress on top of stress on top of stress,â said the 30-year-old Brooklyn-based model and actor, who has been out of work since March. âMy credit cards are maxed out. Weâre behind on rent, and theyâre about to lift the freeze on evictions,â said Sylvester, who shares a two-bedroom apartment with her daughter, mother and tw...