Letter to Instructor: Evaluation of Writing Class: 2 to 3 pages: Original work needed
Collegescholar
al-thobaiti_saad_summary_and_crtical_response_2_1.docx
Alshabana 1
Saad Al-Thobaiti
Professor Sheyene Heller
ENGL 1206
5 April 2014
In "Working at McDonald's," an article by Amitai Etzioni, he argues that these jobs undermine the significance of education, conveys little skills and devalues the life of youngsters. Despite the hard labor, employees get low remunerations and are never sure about their job security. Although, the objectives of the business of producing an industrious, productive and independent employee may seem to outweigh the general reputation of the company, the factory rather progresses poverty. First, the young person gains no skills from the hard labor, and secondly, the remuneration offered does not commensurate the work done. The company flouts the America’s employment policies of offering considerable compensation to young people. Moreover, the employer is at liberty to dismiss employees without any consultations.
In enhancing reliability of the factory, Amitai refers to various studies. First, he uses Ivan Chamer and Bryna Shore Fraser, study. According to the study, the skills acquired from working in the factory are simple, and employees can learn them at first sight. Moreover, P.W. Wirtz and A.V. Harrell revealed in their study that teens are likely to miss work opportunities in future due to the hours spent in the factory rather than in school. In solving the problem, Amita recommends establishment of factories with school setups that allow teenagers to work and learn simultaneously.
Saad Al-Thobaiti
Professor Sheyene Heller
ENGL 1206
5 April 2014
I found Amitai Etzioni’s article, “Working in McDonald’s” somewhat biased and not convincing. For one, his arguments hammered on the negative sides of teens working in a fast food establishment. He did not also place before the reader the good sides of working in such establishments. I also found it difficult to rely on such an author’s view especially when his arguments are not from personal experiences but somewhat outdated studies.
To drive home his points, the author argues that that these jobs undermine the significance of education, conveys little skills and devalues the life of youngsters. To support this idea, Etzioni cites that students who work at such places hardly get high quality job upon graduation. His belief is that teenagers and students who “immerse” themselves into working in fast food companies are likely to become dropouts.
In contrast to the two studies relied heavily by Amitai Etzioni in his article “Working in McDonald’s”, young people gain various benefits from McDonald’s factory. First, the factory has many job opportunities for young people. Therefore, youngsters can gain skills without difficulty. Furthermore, the teenager becomes self-reliant and has the freedom to use their remuneration.
As well, McDonald’s work gives young people an opportunity to live within their means and acquire technical skills. Furthermore, MacDonald’s jobs keep young people from trouble by removing them from the streets thus beneficial to school dropouts. Employment keeps them busy and denies them any opportunities of indulging in immoral activities, such as drug abuse or sexual activities (Heinz 26). Contrary to the author, McDonald’s works do not undermine education. First, young people voluntarily seek for those opportunities without any intimidation or compulsions. Due to occupation policies, they are at liberty to quit without any consultations. The low remuneration offered commensurate with the amount of expenditure of young people. Most of the young still depend on their parents and guardians, thus offering high remunerations may ruin their lives since they are likely to engage in other activities (Heinz 26).
There is no denying the fact, however, that based on the rigidity and inflexibility of the work, it deprives teenagers manners. The factory focuses in accomplishing its objectives and unmindful of its employees so long as they fulfill their tasks. In this regard, teens lack respect to their elders, in particular teachers, and end up dropping out of school. The experience obtained from the company may impart unnecessary skills to the teenagers against their will. In essence, after working in the factory, the teenager devalues education. Therefore, the remuneration provided works as an incentive and the young people increase their efforts in order to improve their lives.
I might agree with the author that McDonald’s jobs limit teenager’s chances of establishing their careers in the business world. By ignoring the part-time occupations offered by McDonald, students are at a better position of focusing on their education. It gives them an upper hand of seizing white-collar jobs compared to those who undertake the part time jobs. Numerous attributes are very essential in the corporate world, such as financial reliability and survival tactics (Heinz 28).
Works Cited
B170. "The Fast-Food Factories: McJobs are Bad for Kids," The Washington Post (August 24, 1986).
Heinz, Walter R. From Education to Work: Cross-national Perspectives; [revisions of Papers Delivered at a Conference at the University of Toronto, April 18-20, 1996]. Cambridge [u.a.: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1999. Print.
