Chapter 13

Summary:

In Chapter 13the information learned includes:
- Due to the bad economy, a majority of Americans have been concerned about surviving financially.

- 3 reasons why people are losing macro-level economic ground:
• Deindustrialization
• Globalization
• Offshoring

- Income helps define a person’s social class

- The 3 social classes are:
• Upper
• Middle
• Lower

- Low- Wage Jobs:
• 26% of all workers currently fall into the working poor category
• Almost 50% of the working poor full-time employees do not have health insurance
• Millions of low-income workers are subjected to “wage theft” due to Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division does not enforce minimum wage, overtime, and child labor laws

- Nonstandard work hours:
• Are most common among:
 Men
 African Americans
 People who work in service occupations and hospitality industries
• 2 out of 5 people in the United States works weekends, evenings, or nights

- In 2008 the minimum poverty line income for a family of four was $21,834, which consists of 2 adults and 2 children

- The poverty line income is adjusted every year due to inflation of cost of living

- A family cannot receive public assistance if they make a $1 more than the poverty line figure. It is not considered being poor.

- Poverty affects:
• Women
• Children
• Racial-ethnic minorities

- 2 reasons why people are poor:
• People blame the poor
• Others point-out societal factors

- Women are working more due to the decline in men’s employment which is mainly affected by social and economic factors

Trailing Spouses- When one spouse gives up their current position in the work place, and searches for work where their spouse has found a position.

Commuter Marriage- Where a married couple lives, and works in different geographical areas. The married couple meets at different times such as weekends.

Interests/ Unusual Items Learned:

In chapter 13, I found it interesting that some work places are now allowing mothers to bring their newborn babies to work.

Discussion:

As I was looking at Figure 13.8 on page 372 and figure 13.9 on page 373, the figures pointed out the difference in earnings and shows a gender gap in the workplace. When I was looking at the diagrams I was getting frustrated as I began to see the difference in the pay rate between people.

When I was a pastry chef, I found out that a male cook was making more than me, and I swear to you I had more responsibilities than he did. Finally, I did end up getting a pay raise at the end of an ordeal, but why does it have to be like that? What are your thoughts on the gender pay gap?

Natalie Sebula