Suchergebnisse

Introduction : the emergent nature of the research process -- Before you begin : dreaming and thinking -- Preparing : the early steps in a study -- Learning to interview : what to do before and after the interview -- How to conduct a good interview : dig deep -- Learning to do participant observation : a practical guide -- Writing high-quality field notes : details matter -- Data analysis : thinking as you go -- Writing : becoming clearer about your contribution -- Conclusion : why interviews and participant observation research are valuable.

"Class does make a difference in the lives and futures of American children. Drawing on in-depth observations of black and white middle-class, working-class, and poor families, Unequal Childhoods explores this fact, offering a picture of childhood today. Here are the frenetic families managing their children's hectic schedules of "leisure" activities; and here are families with plenty of time but little economic security. Lareau shows how middle-class parents, whether black or white, engage in a process of "concerted cultivation" designed to draw out children's talents and skills, while working-class and poor families rely on "the accomplishment of natural growth," in which a child's development unfolds spontaneously--as long as basic comfort, food, and shelter are provided. Each of these approaches to childrearing brings its own benefits and its own drawbacks. In identifying and analyzing differences between the two, Lareau demonstrates the power, and limits, of social class in shaping the lives of America's children. The first edition of Unequal Childhoods was an instant classic, portraying in riveting detail the unexpected ways in which social class influences parenting in white and African American families. A decade later, Annette Lareau has revisited the same families and interviewed the original subjects to examine the impact of social class in the transition to adulthood."--Publisher

Contents -- About the Authors -- Acknowledgments -- Part I: Conceptions of Social Class -- Introduction: Taking Stock of Class - Annette Lareau -- Chapter 1: How Class Works: Objective and Subjective Aspects of Class Since the 1970s - Michael Hout -- Chapter 2: Are There Social Classes? A Framework for Testing Sociology's Favorite Concept - David B. Grusky and Kim A. Weeden -- Part II: Social Class in Daily Life: How Does it Work? -- Chapter 3: Education-Based Meritocracy: The Barriers to Its Realization - John Goldthorpe and Michelle Jackson

"Fleeing war and violence, many refugees dream that moving to the United States will be like going to heaven. Instead, they enter a deeply unequal American society, often at the bottom. Through the lived experiences of families resettled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Blair Sackett and Annette Lareau reveal how a daunting obstacle course of agencies and services can drastically alter refugees' experiences building a new life in America. In these stories of struggle and hope, as one volunteer said, "you see the American story." For some families, minor mistakes create catastrophes-food stamps cut off, educational opportunities missed, benefits lost. Other families, with the help of volunteers and social supports, escape these traps and take steps toward reaching their dreams. Engaging and eye-opening, We Thought It Would Be Heaven brings readers into the daily lives of Congolese refugees and offers guidance for how activists, workers, and policymakers can help refugee families thrive"--

Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Table of Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Credits -- Introduction, Annette Lareau and Jeffrey Shultz -- 1 On the Evolution of Street Corner Society -- 2 Choosing a Host -- 3 On the Making of Ain't No Makin' It -- 4 Reflections on a Tale Told Twice -- 5 Beyond Subjectivity -- 6 Common Problems in Field Work: A Personal Essay -- Epilogue: A Selective Guide to the Literature -- Bibliography -- Notes on the Book -- Notes on the Contributors -- Index

"A series of policy shifts over the past decade promises to change how Americans decide where to send their children to school. In theory, the expanded use of standardized test scores and the boom in charter schools will allow parents to evaluate their assigned neighborhood school, or move in search of a better option. But what kind of data do parents actually use while choosing schools? Are there differences among suburban and urban families? How do parents' choices influence school and residential segregation? What role ... [do] school concerns play in the preferences of white and minority parents for particular neighborhoods, and how [do] the racial and economic makeup of both neighborhoods and schools mutually reinforce each other? Choosing Homes, Choosing Schools adroitly addresses this gap and provides a firmer understanding of how Americans choose where to live and send their children to school." -- Back cover