Nickel and Dimed
Daniel Manoni
Lisa Aurello
Composition ENG H101
11 November 2009
Nickel and Dimed Essay
In Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich delves into the `third world' of America while attempting to make a living. She undertakes many noble trades, working in low wage and underappreciated jobs while trying to figure out how the people of this country do it every day. She works at Hearthside and Jerry's in Florida waitressing, with The Maids in Maine cleaning houses, and with Wal-Mart in Minnesota, serving their `guests', all while earning the minimum wage. She also looks to examine the functional and conflict theories of stratification as they relate to the low wage jobs she pursues.
Two very different ideas are presented in the hierarchy of humanity, known as the theories of stratification. The first is the functionalist theory of stratification. This theory holds that, according to Emile Durkheim, "inequalities are good for society..." Certain people are designed and trained to perform certain jobs, and only those people can perform them to their full capacity. The workplace must reward the employee for good jobs and advances in specialization and training. This will induce the employee to work at his or her full potential. The second idea, which juxtaposes the first, is the conflict theory of stratification. This theory poses the idea that any form of social stratification creates a small, powerful group of individuals, and a large group of low wage, working class citizens. This theory also makes the points that, those who are in power, try to keep it, and proceed to create further disadvantages for the working class. The conflict theory in effect states that social inequalities are not good for society as they limit the ability for talented workers to realize their potential and utilize in the workforce.
Ms. Ehrenreich sets basic ground rules for her experiments. She must find a low class, employment position (i.e. waitressing, cleaning, retail), reside in the
Lisa Aurello
Composition ENG H101
11 November 2009
Nickel and Dimed Essay
In Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich delves into the `third world' of America while attempting to make a living. She undertakes many noble trades, working in low wage and underappreciated jobs while trying to figure out how the people of this country do it every day. She works at Hearthside and Jerry's in Florida waitressing, with The Maids in Maine cleaning houses, and with Wal-Mart in Minnesota, serving their `guests', all while earning the minimum wage. She also looks to examine the functional and conflict theories of stratification as they relate to the low wage jobs she pursues.
Two very different ideas are presented in the hierarchy of humanity, known as the theories of stratification. The first is the functionalist theory of stratification. This theory holds that, according to Emile Durkheim, "inequalities are good for society..." Certain people are designed and trained to perform certain jobs, and only those people can perform them to their full capacity. The workplace must reward the employee for good jobs and advances in specialization and training. This will induce the employee to work at his or her full potential. The second idea, which juxtaposes the first, is the conflict theory of stratification. This theory poses the idea that any form of social stratification creates a small, powerful group of individuals, and a large group of low wage, working class citizens. This theory also makes the points that, those who are in power, try to keep it, and proceed to create further disadvantages for the working class. The conflict theory in effect states that social inequalities are not good for society as they limit the ability for talented workers to realize their potential and utilize in the workforce.
Ms. Ehrenreich sets basic ground rules for her experiments. She must find a low class, employment position (i.e. waitressing, cleaning, retail), reside in the