I was interested to read chapter 5
of Ain’t No Makin’ It because MacLeod
seemed to analyze more individual or personal barriers to success rather than
the systemic barriers we often read about. This was made particularly evident
by juxtaposing the attitudes of the Hallway Hangers and the Brothers on their
perceptions of the job market. While the Brothers seemed to maintain a hopeful
and confident attitude about finding a “good” job, the Hallway Hangers seemed
to have given up hope before even beginning.
This idea of perceptions playing a
large role in finding a job was very interesting to me. Based upon their
limited experiences in the job market and the experiences of their parents,
“hangers” seem to have constructed the idea that the job market, or middle
class jobs, is open to only those with privilege. Whether this is an accurate
assumption or not, the fact that the hangers have adopted this as a universal
understanding of the labor market serves as a barrier to success in and of
itself. When compared with the Brothers, who come from largely the same
circumstances, the hangers seemed to put a large amount of constraint upon them
and have in a way predetermined their own professional success.
This is not to discount the harsh
structural barriers to success imposed upon individuals born into lower-class neighborhoods
though Macleod’s analysis seems to indicate that personal barriers might also
play a role within the job market.
On a separate and unrelated note, another
aspect of the reading I found really interesting was how often these groups
seemed to resort to military service when in need of a job. This was something
I hadn’t previously considered but would like to learn more about the number of
military recruits who join the service out of necessity.
I think the Hallways Hangers and Brothers perceptions of the job market stem from the perception that their families hold. For example, Stoney’s mother “thinks it inappropriate to foster high aspirations in her children, fearing that unrealistically high goals only will result in disappointment, frustration, and feelings of failure and inadequacy” (57). It is not surprising that Stoney would begin to foster these same feelings and slowly lower his goals. Many other Hallway Hanger parents seem to hold similar aspirations for their children. Their parents have taught them, by example and through discussion, that hard work does not always pay off and that it is easier to become prosperous if you come from a better socioeconomic class. The Hallway Hangers also witness this belief in their siblings. For instance, many of their older siblings have been to jail or are recently released from jail and working odd jobs. It is hard for the Hallway Hangers to believe that they can do much better than their parents or siblings. They grew up believing that their families failure in the job market is all apart of the system and they are no exception. On the other hand the Brothers have supportive parents telling them to work hard to accomplish their goals. Growing up with such high expectations causes the Brothers to believe that hard work is all they need to work their way up the job market. The way that families influence their child’s expectations of the job market is extremely interesting. As MacLeod brings up, are the Brothers’ parents causing future pain by having high aspirations for their children? Or, are the Hallway Hangers parents doing a decent thing by teaching their children the harsh reality of the American job market? With that being said, is there a right or wrong way to influence the way your child perceives their future in the job market? Who is more realistic here – the parents of the Hallway Hangers or the Brothers?
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see the internalized beliefs of the Hallway Hangers and the Brothers as they discuss jobs and economic prosperity in their future. Some of the Brothers have internalized the failure of their ability to "make it" as an individual problem, as Chris says " I guess I just don't have what it takes" (121). This attitude is discouraging to any group, and definitely pulls from the themes y'all have pointed out. When one grows up seeing these systems of poverty and examine the world with the lens that some make it and others don't based on personal merit, there are definite limitations to the individuals goals and aspirations. However, if one sees the inability to access socioeconomic mobility as the cause for the inability to progress, be see Chris say "WE don't get a fair shake and shit" then he recognizes the injustice more than any of us ever could. However, despite not starting on an even playing ground, he still battles against the feelings of inadequacy. THis book has been very revealing in how these brothers and Hangers do not have the same challenges, just as we as Rhodes students have had an entirely different support network with "making it" which allows us to bypass the social debate if e can make it, but ask to the extent of how much success we will have. We have internalized the ability and desire to school success, just as these men have internalized the notion of lack of mobility.
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