Some perception problems in evidence, here: 
1. "the unsettling new reality is a series of lower-paying, temporary gigs that bring little financial security."
This "reality" hit me 18 years ago!  Now, I may have been on the leading edge of it phenomenon, but it sure picked up steam in 2008-2009--and don't look now, but that was 8 years ago.  Nothing new, here. 

2. I submit that, for many, there hasn't been "financial security" of the kind my father knew for close to a quarter of a century now. And many who thought they were "financially secure"  through pensions, got a rude awakening years ago.