Reading Classes , livre ebook

Cornell University Press - Barbara Jensen

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262 pages

English

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Discussions of class make many Americans uncomfortable. This accessible book makes class visible in everyday life. Solely identifying political and economic inequalities between classes offers an incomplete picture of class dynamics in America, and may not connect with people's lived experiences. In Reading Classes, Barbara Jensen explores the anguish caused by class in our society, identifying classism-or anti-working class prejudice-as a central factor in the reproduction of inequality in America. Giving voice to the experiences and inner lives of working-class people, Jensen-a community and counseling psychologist-provides an in-depth, psychologically informed examination of how class in America is created and re-created through culture, with an emphasis on how working- and middle-class cultures differ and conflict. This book is unique in its claim that working-class cultures have positive qualities that serve to keep members within them, and that can haunt those who leave them behind.Through both autobiographical reflections on her dual citizenship in the working class and middle class and the life stories of students, clients, and relatives, Jensen brings into focus the clash between the realities of working-class life and middle-class expectations for working-class people. Focusing on education, she finds that at every point in their personal development and educational history, working-class children are misunderstood, ignored, or disrespected by middle-class teachers and administrators. Education, while often hailed as a way to "cross classes," brings with it its own set of conflicts and internal struggles. These problems can lead to a divided self, resulting in alienation and suffering for the upwardly mobile student. Jensen suggests how to increase awareness of the value of working-class cultures to a truly inclusive American society at personal, professional, and societal levels.

Sujets

Sociologie, société et politique

USA

Sociology

Memoir

Cultural studies

Social class

États-Unis

Informations

Publié par	Cornell University Press
Date de parution	15 octobre 2012
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9780801464058
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,7500€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

ReadingClasses

OnCultureandClassisminAmerica

BarbaraJensen

ILR Press animprintofCornellUniversityPressIthacaandLondon

All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Cornell University Press, Sage House, 512 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850. First published 2012 by Cornell University Press First printing, Cornell Paperbacks, 2012 Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data

Jensen, Barbara, 1953– Reading classes : on culture and classism in America / Barbara Jensen. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 9780801444760 (cloth : alk. paper) — ISBN 9780801477799 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Classism—United States. 2. Working class—United States— Social conditions. 3.4.Social classes—United States. Social stratiﬁcation—United States. I. Title. HN90.S6J46 2012 305.50973—dc23 2011051728

Cornell University Press strives to use environmentally responsible suppliers and materials to the fullest extent possible in the publishing of its books. Such materials include vegetablebased, lowVOC inks and acidfree papers that are recycled, totally chlorinefree, or partly composed of nonwood ﬁbers. For further information, visit our website at www. cornellpress.cornell.edu.

Cloth printing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Paperback printing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Thisbookisdedicatedtomywonderfulfamilymembers,Jensensand Mittelmans alike, and especially to my mother and father, Alice and Fred Jensen. I never had a chance to tell you how grateful I am for all you taught me.

Acknowledgments

Contents

Prologue:WhatPartofFridleyAreYouFrom?

1.GettingClass

2.TheInvisibleIsm

3.BelongingversusBecoming

4.BehavingversusBlooming

5.IdentityandResistance

6.AcrosstheGreatDivide

7.PaininthePromisedLand

8.GatheringinGlenville

NotesReferencesIndex

1 9 28 51 79 117 146 178 207

227 231 239

Acknowledgments

Thisbooktookavillage.WhileIwroteandrewrote,othersinmylifewere left to deal with my constant lack of free time, my hasty visits, the family events I didn’t make it to, the graduations and holidays I missed, the dates I cancelled, the weeks I took off work to write, and the calls I forgot to make. Thank you for your patience. Toallthepeoplewhoreadthebookorpartsofitandgavemefeedback—LauraAyers,CarolBarnes,ShirleyCarlson,RennyChristo pher, Tom Copeland, Bess Donahue, Lary Dunsmore, David Emerson, Nancy Hammond, Kate Hanning, Lily Neilon Jensen, Sharon Kahn, Sherry Linkon, Alfred Lubrano, Roger McKenzie, Marin Peplinski, Kris tine Smith, Thorin Tatge (for reading several chapters as well as research assistance), Felice Yeskel, Janet Zandy, and Michael Zweig—Thank you. Thanks to the women in my writers group: Sue HedleyKeller, Barbara Parisian, Elizabeth Runge, Vicky Lofquist, Sharon Emery, Kathy Zalonni, Charlene Knox, Barbara Haselbeck, Antonia Krueger, and especially our fearless leader, Margot Galt.