Reaction Paper: “America’s Forgotten Working Class”
Watch the video “America’s Forgotten Working-Class” (below) and submit an approximately 250 word reaction paper by responding to the questions below.
1. Explain why Vance argues there is a “unique sense of pessimism” moving into working-class communities. Include in your answer what you regard as the most significant social problems Vance identifies. Explain why you see these as the most important social issues he discusses. (Approximately 125 words)
2. Why does Vance assert that upward social mobility is merely an unrealistic dream for many working-class young people. Apply one of the sociological theoretical perspectives to this assertion. That is, how would either functionalist theory, conflict theory, or symbolic interactionism theory account for the feeling that there is little hope for upward mobility Vance sees among working-class young people? (Approximately 125 words)
Provide a thoughtful reaction paper of approximately 250 words total.
