Discussion Social Problems
Social Problems Community, Policy, and Social Action
Sixth Edition
Anna Leon-Guerrero
Chapter 9
Work and the Economy
The Changing Nature of Work
Industrial Revolution—an economic shift from agriculture to industry that occurred in the late 18th–early 19th century
Family production replaced with market production where capitalist owners paid workers wages to produce goods
Service revolution—In late 1960s, U.S. economy shifted from a manufacturing to service based economy dominated by service and information occupations
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The Changing Nature of Work
Deindustrialization—a widespread, systematic disinvestment in manufacturing and production capacities
U.S. has lost 33% of manufacturing jobs in 2000s
Lost manufacturing jobs often replaced with unstable, low-paying service jobs, or no jobs at all
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Women in the Workforce
During WWII, women began entering the workforce in large numbers
After the war, many women were forced back into low paying female-dominated occupations or back to their homes
Labor force participation rates have steadily increased for white, black and Hispanic women since WWII
In 2010, for the first time in U.S. history, women outnumbered men in the workplace (nonfarm jobs)
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Women in the Workforce
The elderly are increasingly returning to work or working longer because
They are living longer, some cannot afford to live on their retirement income, and many just want to
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Foreign/Immigrant Workers
For 2016, there were 27 million foreign workers in U.S.
Employed in service occupations and are less likely than U.S.-born to work in management, professional, sales, or office occupations
Among foreign workers, 43.6% lived in the West and the Northeast
Settle in regions with perceived economic opportunities
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Functionalist Perspective
Work serves specific functions in society and provides us with some predictability about our life experience
Helps determine when we get married, have children, or buy a home
Serves as an important social structure as we become stratified according to our occupations and our income
The way we live is dependent on the work of thousands
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Functionalist Perspective
Work can also produce a set of dysfunctions which can lead to social problems
Getting too involved in work may lead to job stress, overwork, and job dissatisfaction
Technology can also lead to job and wage losses
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Functionalist Perspective
Scientific management—Frederick W. Taylor broke down functional elements of work, identifying the most efficient and fastest way to complete a task
Also had ideas about the organization of work—need a clear authority structure, task specialization, which shifted power to management
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Conflict Perspective
Marx—power is determined by one’s relationship to the means of production
Deskilling—the systematic reconstruction of jobs so that they require fewer skills and management has more control over workers
Conflict theorists argue that capitalist and corporate leaders maintain their power and economic advantage at the expense of their workers and the general public
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Feminist Perspective
Feminists argue that work is a gendered institution
Women and men are treated unequally
Sexual division of labor—the assignment of different work to men and women
Leads to a devaluing of female workers and their work
There is no single occupation or country where women make the same amount of money as men
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Interactionist Perspective
According to symbolic interactionists, labels and meanings are attached to one’s work
These social constructs create order, but can also create social problems
Constructs can serve as the basis of job discrimination
The persistence of stigma negatively affects the disabled in the hiring process
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Unemployment and Underemployment
Underemployment—individuals working in a job that underpays them, is not equal to their skill level, or involves fewer working hours
People who are young, non-college educated, and ethnic/racial minorities have higher underemployment rates
Unemployment is linked with higher levels of alienation, anxiety, depression, and overall health
Periods of unemployment are related to increased rates of suicide and spousal abuse
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Contingent workforce—composed of full-time or part-time temporary workers.
Are used on temporary projects, for work overloads, or to fill in for employees who are vacationing, sick or on family leave,
Are also used to eliminate positions and reduce costs.
Outsourcing—a practice of hiring external contractors to do the jobs that regular work staff had previously completed.
Offshoring—outsourcing internationally.
Globalization
Globalization—goods, information, people, communication, and forms of culture move across national boundaries
Created a world market where all businesses, employers, and employees must compete
Competition keeps corporations focused on innovation, quality, and production
Created a new middle class and reduced poverty in many countries
Worker security has declined everywhere
U.S. manufacturing jobs have been lost
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Minimum Wage
In 2018, the federal minimum wage is $7.25
When adjusted for inflation, the current federal minimum wage is less than it was from 1961 to 1981
Low-wage workers are likely to be minority, female, non-college-educated, non-union and work in low-end sales and service occupations
In 2001, Barbara Ehrenreich reported that in order to match her income and expenses, she needed to work two jobs or 7 days a week
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A Hazardous and Stressful Workplace
In 2016, there were 5,190 fatal work injuries, mostly among men
A total of 2.9 million nonfatal injuries were reported in private industries
Severe job stress can also lead to illness, injury, or job failure. This stress can be exacerbated by a heavy workload, little sense of control, a poor social environment, and job insecurity
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Federal Policies
U.S. Department of Labor was created to
Foster and promote the welfare of U.S. wage earners, to improve working conditions, and to advance opportunities for profitable employment
Two major current debates
Increasing the minimum wage supported by unions and poverty organizations. Opposed by business groups and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
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Federal Policies
Protection against workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation. Has been introduced in every Congress (except 109th) since 1994
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The Living Wage Movement
Living wages are meant to be high enough to support workers and their families
There are 38 cities and counties that require a living wage
Opponents claim living wages will hurt the local economy
Obama endorsed a $10.10 minimum wage
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Organized and Fighting Back
Labor unions serve as bargaining agents for workers
Many worker protections initially advocated for by unions are now federal and state laws
In recent years, unions have collaborated with other social movements to support workers in many aspects of their lives
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