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Chapter 13: Education and Employment

  • Page ID
    329152
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    Learning Objectives

    1. Describe the variability in equality and access to childcare and education.
    2. Explain why the quality of childcare matters.
    3. Explain the ways that access to college and college costs affect individuals, families, and the economy.
    4. Describe the ways that generational inequities in education affect families.
    5. Analyze the ways that gendered work expectations affect families.
    6. Explain how parenting and care work interact with paid work.
    7. Analyze childcare, education, employment, and workplace practices from an equity perspective.
    8. Apply theoretical concepts related to education and employment to your own observations and experiences.
    • 13.1: Chapter Reading Guide
      This page discusses the intersection of childcare, education, and employment, highlighting their implications for college students and families. It addresses equity in access to childcare and education, the effects of quality childcare on families and the economy, and generational inequities in education. Key concepts include care work, educational debt, and gendered work expectations, encouraging students to reflect on their experiences to better understand these complex social issues.
    • 13.2: Education and Employment Changes to Education- Birth through Adulthood
      This page addresses the essential roles of education and employment in American family life, stressing the need for equitable access to childcare and education. It highlights disparities in the education system, particularly around school funding, tracking, and choice, which perpetuate inequality. Challenges for students with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ individuals are discussed, including the impact of discriminatory policies.
    • 13.3: Post-Secondary Education and Families
      This page highlights the challenges faced by college students who are parents while managing educational and family responsibilities, noting demographic shifts and declining enrollment of older students. It explores educational inequities exacerbated by the pandemic, emphasizing socioeconomic status and identity factors contributing to achievement gaps. The text also examines biases in the federal student aid system affecting low-income families.
    • 13.4: Gender, Work, and Family
      This page addresses the gendered dynamics of work and family, emphasizing the impact of economic changes since the 1970s that have led to dual-income households. It highlights key milestones in women's workplace rights and ongoing barriers to gender equality, including occupational segregation and discrimination. Additionally, it explores how gender and racial stereotypes influence professional attire and career advancement.
    • 13.5: Care Work
      This page examines care work's essential yet undervalued role in household management, especially for women, as they tackle the "second shift." It discusses the challenges of balancing caregiving responsibilities exacerbated by the pandemic within diverse family structures. The text also highlights systemic racial injustices in tax and social security impacting groups like Black individuals and immigrants, emphasizing the need for equitable systems.
    • 13.6: Looking Ahead- Laborers Who Are Undocumented
      This page examines the critical role of undocumented Latino workers in the U.S. labor market, particularly in low-wage sectors. It notes that businesses favor hiring these immigrants for their reliability and work ethic, especially in rural areas. The Latino population has significantly increased in regions like rural Georgia, driven by recruitment strategies from the 1990s. Employers highlight that this workforce fulfills labor needs while also providing cost benefits over local workers.
    • 13.7: Going Deeper
      This page offers additional resources on education and employment, featuring references, reflective questions, and key terms for better understanding. It invites readers to explore issues such as childcare, student debt, and gender dynamics in the workforce. Activities and discussion prompts foster deeper reflection on college experiences within various contexts, highlighting the significance of sociological themes in education and family dynamics.


    This page titled Chapter 13: Education and Employment is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Elizabeth B. Pearce (OpenOregon) .