Journal article
YOUNG ADULTHOOD IN THE BLUE COLLAR CLASS
Sociological Symposium, Vol.5
01 Jan 1970
Abstract
A Chpt from the author's BLUE COLLAR LIFE (New York, NY: Random House, 1969). Relevant res by various authors justifies division of the sons & daughters of white Ur bluecollar (B1C) workers into 3 substyles. Each substyle is a response to the challenge of career planning, personal autonomy, & sex role identification. The 3 styles are: rebel, accommodator, & achiever. Each of the 3 kinds of young adults approaches the prospects of life as a blue collarite from a diff perspective: (a) Rebels often view it as an unavoidable hardship against which one fights until subdued (as in a teenage marriage) or until a real alternative is secured (such as a career in the rackets or in the Army). (b) Accommodators generally view BIC employment as right & natural, a tradition in the fam, & rather deserving of respect. (c) Achievers reject the notion of a BIC destiny in its entirety. Adult BIC life reflects the commonalities & diff's among these 3 substyles. Each is briefly explored, particularly re the human gains & costs both to the adherents & to society at large of the young blue collarites' way of life. Each of the substyles elicits certain responses from others: some are inclined to romanticize JD'cy, some applaud the fidelity of those who stay close to home & the old ways without recognizing that this produces an unwillingness to risk or dare very much or to accept progress. America's We appears to be one that fears to dare, figures small angles incompetently, & makes the least-best of its life-enhancing possibilities. Too many members of the We are making too little of their lives, & this can be changed. M. Maxfield.
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Details
- Title
- YOUNG ADULTHOOD IN THE BLUE COLLAR CLASS
- Creators
- Arthur Shostak
- Publication Details
- Sociological Symposium, Vol.5
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Sociology; Culture and Communication [Historical]
- Identifiers
- 991020705450004721