Reaction Paper: “America’s Forgotten Working Class”

Introduction

The Ted Talk “America’s Forgotten Working Class” given by J.D. Vance examines the dilemmas faced by millions of American working-class people. Vance emphasizes that many of the perceptions and beliefs held by working-class people, especially white Americans struggling in former industrial and mining regions, are little understood by large numbers of their fellow citizens. Vance is the author of the best-selling book Hillbilly Elegy that chronicles his personal journey through poverty and survival. In this video you are introduced to a variety of perceptions on the troubles besetting America’s forgotten work-class. Examining those perceptions allows us to consider them through a sociological lens.

Instructions

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)