As I read this article, another
barrier to entry I thought of was the recent globalization of markets and jobs.
Much like there is a wide cultural gap between blue collar and white collar
jobs that prevents low-income applicants from moving up in the job force, I
would think that companies who have internationalized in scope would create an
even larger gap in mutual understanding. For those that have never had the
opportunity to travel or to gain exposure to the culture, lifestyle and needs
of foreign populations, it seems as if there would be an even wider gap and a
harsher barrier. Does anyone know much about the effects of globalization on
domestic low-income workers?
Monday, February 25, 2013
Effects of Globalization on low-income job Applicants?
As a senior who is currently
seeking a job for post-graduation, I was very interested in the article “Finding
a job in the Inner-city”. Newman focused upon many key aspects of job-hunting,
one of the most important being the ability for an applicant to adjust and adapt
to the culture of the company they are applying to. In class on Thursday, we
had spoken about this in the context of “acting white”. Newman created the
image of a barrier with the applicant on one side and the employer on the
other. It is expected that the applicant will “sell” or “pitch” themselves in a
way that would be attractive to the employer. For those that do not already fit
into this mold, mostly lower –income individuals, this creates an identity
crisis. Newman remarked that “They [low-income applicants] have to park all of
the symbolic baggage of their culture at home.” In my job-search I have already
felt the pressure to present myself in a certain way so as to be more
attractive to employers. I can see how this would create a true culture of
stagnation for low-income applicants who cannot move past the thick barrier
because they are considered culturally inept.
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Elizabeth, I can definitely sympathize with the job searching situation and I think this chapter does a pretty solid job describing the difficulties of a distressed labor market. It also plays well into social theories that serve as the basis for the HOPE VI redevelopments. The chapter discusses the importance of "who you know" and vertical social networks. The creation of these networks is supposed to have a positive effect on the resident's life outcomes. However, Newman also touches on the flip side of the argument when he/she writes about those the Burger Barn employees describe as free-loaders and unemployable. The systemic issues that create the "cycle of poverty" have also been said to create, according to anthropologist Oscar Lewis, a "culture of poverty" wherein no one wants to work and will choose to continue to live off of welfare even if jobs are available. It is this argument that many who are opposed to public housing and welfare benefits believe.
ReplyDeleteWhat are your thoughts on the creation of a culture of poverty? Do you think it exists? If so, what can/should be done?
Robbie, I’m very glad you brought up the topic of welfare. There were many points throughout these chapters that Burger Barn workers justified and defended their jobs on the basis of honest money. Many workers discussed the difference between earning money from illegal activities, like selling drugs, and earning money from honest work. There was also a strong distinction between individuals who earned money from a legal job compared to those who were welfare dependent. There were multiple examples of young women who worked at Burger Barn criticizing individuals on welfare. Specifically, Patricia discussed how there are plenty of jobs available, and yet people remain on welfare because they can’t find a job they prefer or they don’t approve of the pay (99). There was even a young woman, Ianna, who criticized the welfare system for giving people money to sit at home instead of employing individuals to perform many jobs that needed to be done throughout the city (98).
ReplyDeleteI believe that the workers at Burger Barn readily critique the welfare system due to their work experience. Through Burger Barn they were introduced to the work culture and realized that honest work results in honest pay. If the welfare system required individuals to hold some type of job I wonder if they would adopt the same work ethic as some of those at Burger Barn.