Analysis Of Barbara Ehrenreich's Essay 'Serving In Florida'

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Work Identity is Consuming Americans
It is almost automatic when Americans meet a stranger in a social setting to ask “What do you do for a living?” This question is not surprising given that adults spend most of their waking hours at work than spending time with family and friends. Work, for most people, is the defining aspect of life and thus becomes an individual’s identity outside of the workplace. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines identity as: The distinguishing character or personality of an individual (401). Today’s Americans are consciously or subconsciously bringing their work identities home, ultimately affecting social status, standard of living, relationships, and resulting personal sacrifices. Our society places a great deal of importance on a person’s employment. A person’s job title can quickly define an individual’s …show more content…

Society stereotypes people based on their job title and the nature of their employment. A job title and the amount of money earned creates a socioeconomic status. When an individual defines themself by their job and title, the problem manifested is a slow alteration of their sense of self. In her essay, “Serving in Florida,” Barbara Ehrenreich recaps her social experiment of living the life of a low-wage waitress in Key West, Florida. Ehrenreich shares her experiences of learning the art of waiting tables, interacting with the patrons and personnel of the restaurant. She learned through this experiment the hardships of affordable housing, inadequate transportation and food that her coworkers faced (917-930). Americans in occupations such as restaurant staff, fast food prep, retail cashier, farming, janitorial, garbage disposal or cafeteria work are often judged by the job title; uneducated, poor and unqualified to obtain other employment. Many of these low wage jobs have few prerequisites for hiring. An assumption is made that people seek these low wage jobs because they lack qualification and skills

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