Child care Quote by Barbara Ehrenreich
““...I displayed, or usually displayed, all those traits deemed essential to job readiness: punctuality, cleanliness, cheerfulness, obedience. These are the qualities that welfare-to-work job-training programs often seek to inculcate, though I suspect that most welfare recipients already possess them, or would if their child care and transportation problems were solved.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Nickel and Dimed, 2001
Job‑training programs emphasize traits like punctuality and obedience, which many welfare recipients already have or could if basic barriers were removed.
In simple terms: Training focuses on traits already present, overlooking systemic obstacles.
Key Takeaway
Address childcare and transport to improve job readiness.
Themes
social policy
welfare
employment
systemic barriers
Mood
critical
empathetic
Type
policy
social
When to use this quote
- job training
- policy reform
- social services
Key Concepts
economic inequality
program evaluation
Questions to Reflect On
- What systemic changes would help job seekers?
- How can training be more effective?
A Different Perspective
Programs may ignore deeper socioeconomic issues.
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