By just reading the preface, introduction, and chapter one I am excited to read more! I also think that the video Prof. Myer posted went very well with the opening reading of this book. In the video it said something about working towards the "American Dream" it was also mentioned in the preface of The Working Poor. It really made clicked when watching the video. The video's use of graphs and data from people at all levels of socio-economic status really blew my mind.
When Shipler introduced us to Sarah and Willie was the most upsetting section of reading. I say it is upsetting because it is people doing those type of things that make me not feel sorry for those on welfare. Sarah and Willie are the kinds of people others see on welfare and think that everyone on welfare are like them, which is in not true at all.
One question I had from the reading was when Shipler wrote about how the government determine the poverty line. Is it still the same process to determine the poverty line as it was in 2006? How has determining the poverty line changed over time?
Silly me didn't look at the syllabus. I see that we have to read chapter two also. In this chapter it really clicked with me that once a person is on welfare how hard it really is to make it off of welfare. The stories of the single mothers trying to make it really hit home with me.
ReplyDeleteThe title of this chapter is really all that needs to be said. Working your butt off just doesn't always work.