1. Peer review of argument on poverty
Record
second part of conversation
2. Begin to answer discussion questions from Nickel and
Dimed
Prepare
for informal discussion next class
Should
have two quotes from book or specific examples to support your answers
Also
bring two of your own discussion questions
Questions
and answers will be due at the end of the discussion next class
8
th
period discussion will take place on Tuesday, 9/27
Discussion Questions
ENC1101
Nickel and Dimed
Chapter
2, Part I
Discussion
Questions
1. At the
beginning of the chapter, Ehrenreich discusses the ways that businesses
advertised for jobs, “promoting ‘job fairs’ where you could stroll among
employers tables, like a shopper at a mall, playing hard to get” and
“promis[ing] ‘fun, casual’ work place environments.” In what ways is the job
market in the early 2000s than now? How are jobs advertised now vs then? Why do
you think things have changed? Use your own experiences to support the
discussion.
2. The workers
in Nickel and Dimed receive almost no benefits—no overtime
pay, no retirement funds, and no health insurance. Is this fair? Do you think
an increase in salary would redress the lack of benefits, or is this a
completely separate problem?
3. Many of
Ehrenreich's colleagues relied heavily on family—for housing and help with
child-care, by sharing appliances and dividing up the cooking, shopping, and
cleaning. Do you think Americans make excessive demands on the family unit rather
than calling for the government to help those in need?
4. How does
managers' scrutiny—"time theft" crackdowns and drug testing—affect
workers' morale? How can American companies make the workplace environment safe
and efficient without treating employees like suspected criminals?
5. Housing costs
pose the greatest obstacle for low-wage workers. Why does our society seem to
resist rectifying this situation? Do you believe that there are realistic
solutions to the lack of affordable housing?
