Will a slowing economy lower house prices in Australia? The Housing Industry Association says housing affordability is at a 24-year low. Yet economists are divided over whether Australia's troubled economy will work for or against those struggling to buy a home or maintain a mortgage. Economist Steven Keen has claimed Australia is heading for the worst recession since the Great Depression, and predicts housing prices will drop by over 40 per cent. The ANZ’s Saul Eslake warns this is a dangerous assumption, while economic journalist Ross Gittins believes we are in uncharted waters, with household debt at an all-time high. Home owners mortgaged to the hilt, economists, housing and construction representatives, government and opposition meet on Insight to discuss who could benefit from a big economic dip.

What is courage? What makes some people go where others won't, or come to the rescue while others stand by? Have you ever wondered what you would do in a situation that required courage? How do you think you would act? Insight brings together some amazing people who have had the chance to find out. Host Jenny Brockie talks to the courageous and the not-so-brave about why they reacted the way they did in some extreme situations. So what exactly is courage? Can it be learnt? Are some people just reckless or perhaps addicted to risk? And is there a downside to being courageous? Insight takes a good look at the pros and cons of being brave.

With an economy on the rocks, what do Americans think of Barack Obama and John McCain? For the next two weeks, Insight comes to you from the USA. Jenny Brockie is in New York talking to insiders from both camps plus swing voters from key states about the Presidential candidates, their policies, and what to expect in the final weeks of the campaign. Don't miss Insight's unique look at the US Presidential election. And next week: a second special episode of Insight in America, focusing on young people.

Is the American Dream still alive? Insight, in New York, brings together young Americans from Brooklyn to the Bronx to ask: is the American Dream still alive? This group of racially and socially divided youngsters bursts into passionate argument over success and failure in America's tough economic times, despite their determination to show Australians they're 'classier than that stuff on Jerry Springer'. Eric Brody made his first million before age 30 and is after 50 more. He is one of New York's most promising property developers, and says the current economic catastrophe facing the States doesn't faze him at all. He is joined by Aja Monet, a 21-year-old spoken word artist from Harlem, who says the neighbourhood's African American residents will soon be priced out of their homes and replaced by wealthier white people. Adam Shephard set out to prove the American dream; that starting from nothing he could attain a house, car and savings, and he believes he did so. But could he only take a risk because his background allowed him the safety to do so? Shaquana Appelwhite is 18, lives in the projects and wants a mansion and 80 cars. As the world's most powerful country faces a real threat, Insight finds out how its future custodians plan on dealing with it.

Does child care have a negative effect on the development of children? There is conflicting evidence from Australia and across the world of the negative effects that child care has on children. Researchers in the UK and US have both found that exposure to long term for young children impacts on the way they relate to people for the rest of their lives. In Australia research has been done that is not seeing the same effects and claims that day care isn’t the problem it is the quality of that care. What is the current situation for parents in Australia? Do they have to put their children into day care because there is no other option or because they want to return to their careers? Click on Web Extra to explore child care from the perspective of some little attendees in one centre in Thornleigh.

Are kids becoming more violent at a younger age? Violence in children as young as 10 is increasing, with more girls participating than ever before. Insight looks at the changing face of youth crime by bringing together children who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law with victims, police, criminologists and social workers . The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has reported a spike in numbers of juvenile detainees. Studies have shown that the younger kids are when they first offend, the greater the risk of them ending up in the adult prison system. Insight talks to parents whose lives have been destroyed by their kids' trouble with the law. What motivates young people to act violently? And what role do peers and even technology play in an age where kids are committing child abuse? Is parenting at fault?

It’s the hottest word around – GREED. So to what extent is it to blame for the current global economic meltdown? How will Australia weather the storm? This week INSIGHT explores one of the seven deadliest sins – from Wall Street to our own backyard.

Are Australians safe when buying food and other products manufactured overseas? China and other developing nations are increasingly being relied upon as Australia's main suppliers of food, toys and manufactured goods. But this year, imports have been put under the spotlight following the melamine milk scandal in China, which resulted in the deaths of four babies and made 50,000 children ill. So what are the regulations governing our imported foods and products? Who is responsible, and which products are being checked and tested at the border?

What's the real value in tying the knot these days? Over the past 20 years the number of people getting married in Australia has dropped by almost a quarter, while the number of defacto couples has risen dramatically. New legislation will soon give separating de factos the same legal rights as separating married couples. So where does that leave marriage? Jenny Brockie talks to couples committed to the fairytale notion of marriage, people who have arranged marriages, de factos who've sworn off marriage forever, gay couples who've married and the many-times-married who still believe in finding the ideal mate.

What is the future for jobs in Australia given the global financial crisis? The government is predicting unemployment will hit 5.75 per cent by June 2010. But some economists say it could go as high as 10%. Insight brings together business leaders, economists and workers from retail, manufacturing, banking and mining to talk about job prospects. You'll hear from small business owners, tradesmen, bar workers and shop assistants about the changes they're noticing on the ground and how those changes are likely to affect jobs. Don't miss the last Insight for 2008 on the future for jobs in the coming year.