Assignment for March 25, 2008

1. Assignment for March 25, 2008 • Read Chapter Seven, “Kinship” • Prepare answers to these questions: • What was the author's purpose in this chapter? • What among the things you learned in this chapter stands out the most? • What one question would you ask David Shipler about this chapter if he visited our class? • In what other courses have you studied the issues in this chapter? • Can you recommend readings and/or speakers for this chapter? If so, please do so.

2. i<Clicker Quiz • Employers • Almost never hire ex-offenders • Almost never hire single mothers on welfare • Almost never hire drug addicts • Will hire all three when the economy flourishes

3. i<Clicker Quiz • “Soft Skills” include: • Punctuality, diligence, and a can-do attitude. • Familiarity with at least one software computer program. • Reading, writing, and math. • Are learned on the job by most American workers.

4. Chapter Six, “Sins of the Fathers” March 20, 2008

5. What was the author's purpose in Chapter Six? • Jessica: Abuse can have more damaging effects in poverty • Mike/Ryan: Long-term relationship repercussions & trust issues  barrier to employment • Kelly: Role of poor upbringing and parenting in perpetuating poverty • Laura: Emphasizing traumatic childhood experiences in perpetuating poverty • Bridget: Attempt/vow to break abuse cycle • Megan: No role models for appropriate relationships (parent-child)

6. JW’s Answer • To expose the high frequency of sexual abuse histories among working poor women • To defy the common stereotype (p. 128) and convince the reader that sexual abuse causes emotional problems that impede labor force participation and job performance • Corollaries • We need to invest in programs that address sexual abuse • Work programs that neglect the consequences of sexual abuse and rely upon work rules and time as motivators solely will fail to produce stable employees

7. What stands out the most among the things you learned in this chapter? • Alysia: Normalcy of abuse for children, part of their identity (toddlers) • Allison: Pregnancy as answer to dependency on parents/ lack of love, ownership; backwards cycle of independence • Kelly: Shocking parental responses to abuse, acceptance • Lisa: Solution to target men/parents in jail (new policy focus) • Emily: Where are the fathers? Why aren’t they a part of the story? • Kelly: Hindsight of parental improvements/problems

8. JW’s Answer • I am disappointed that Shipler did not authoritatively answer the questions that he posed on p. 144: • Are poor children more vulnerable than rich? • Do families lacking material means also lack the means to protect their children from such indelible harm? • Is molestation more prevalent in disrupted households with single mothers, transitory boyfriends, alcohol, drugs, and absent adults working long hours in late-night shifts? • I want to know about the direct causality of poverty on the incidence of sexual abuse.

9. What one question would you ask David Shipler about Chapter Six if he visited us? • Emily: What policies do you recommend? • Lisa: Given limited resources, which of the mentioned policies/programs would you keep? • Elizabeth: What was your reaction to the story you uncovered? • Erica: same

10. JW’s Answer • PREVENTION: What programs, if any, have successfully reduced the incidence of sexual abuse? • HEALING: What programs, if any, have successfully addressed the consequences of sexual abuse among low-income women? • In both cases, what is the key to the success of these programs? Can they be replicated in other locations?

11. JW’s Answer

12. Two new questions • In what other courses have you studied the issues in Chapter Six? • Can you recommend readings and/or speakers for Chapter Six? If so, please do so.