“there are no secret economies that nourish the poor on the contrary, thereĪre a host of special costs.” Near the end, in sum, she tells us that poverty Near the outset of her study, Ehrenreich tells us that However, the book is largely about poverty,Ībout the poor-and not simply the helplessly destitute, but rather the poor whoĪre employed full-time. Period of “peace and prosperity” (as many people called it then, and still call Nickel and Dimed takes place during a so-called economic boom in American history, the Is this? Why the deceit? Why does The Maids outfit not clean its clients’ homesĥ. Not so much to clean as to create the appearance of having been cleaned.” Why In an extended footnote in Chapter Two, EhrenreichĮxplains how “the point” of the housecleaning service where she is employed “is What is the “money taboo”-and why and how does itįunction, as Ehrenreich puts it, “most effectively among the lowest-paidĤ. Seems to arrive at a new understanding of the phrase “unskilled labor.” Explain At the outset of her Evaluation chapter, the author How does she use logos, pathos, and ethos to ensure her desired effect on us?Ģ. Pages 90-93: Analyze Ehrenreich's rhetorical stance. Refer to low-wage workers, at the close of her book, as “the majorĭimed: On (Not) Getting By In America - Individualġ. Agree orĭisagree with this claim, using evidence from her book. How should we (Phoenix/Scottsdale, orĪrizona, or the nation) evaluate the costs and benefits of raising the minimumĭoesn't specifically mention 'the feminization of poverty' in NickelĮvidence that women are more likely than men to be poor in America. Negative consequences of raising the minimum wage, such as fewer opportunitiesįor unskilled workers to develop labor market skills (on-the-job training) and 174.) More generally: why does the book include footnotes? Pick one or two and examine their relevance to the stories she is

How might her experience have beenĭifferent if she were male? If she were a person of color? If she had littleĮducation? How do issues of race, class, or gender connect with low-wage work?įootnotes. Work in America? Low-wage workers? Business owners? Service Industry leaders? Politicians?Ī reflection of her own experience. Who should take the lead in solving the problems of low-wage Housing, childcare, education, public transportation, and community support for Nickel and Dimed introduces concerns about health care, affordable You can view or download excerpts of the book in the SUBPAGES below to assist you in answering the Group or Individual Discussion questions if you do not have your own copy of the book to refer to.ĭimed: On (Not) Getting By In America – GroupĬlass structure exists in America, does social mobility make it more tolerable?Ģ.

Nickel and dimed pages