The Work Ethic Among Black Secondary Students in the South-A Summary Report

Abstract

The criticisms of the American worker have been increasing coincident with U. S. economic problems abroad and at home. Made in U. S. A. does not seem to bear the magic it once did. Efforts are being initiated to refurbish the image of American workmanship and return it to its former prominence. One such effort is in education, with Career Education bearing the brunt of a revival of the American work ethic. How do high school students, soon to enter the world of work (unless going on to college immediately and postponing their entry) regard this future world of theirs? Over 1200 students in 22 north and central Georgia secondary schools were surveyed. Of this total 410 were Blacks, 215 males and 195 females. This report will summarize their responses. The first question asked of them concerned their preference as to working for themselves or for others. Considering the difficulties of establishing independent businesses (about 75% become bankrupt within the first year) it is surprising to find that 60 per cent of the black students of both sexes still preferred to work for themselves. Perhaps this is not so surprising since Blacks are frequently the victims of job discrimination and being an independent operator avoids such unfairness. Since most will have to work for others several responses stated their reactions to the following situations: Work on an assembly was acceptable to 57 per cent of the males but only 37 per cent of the females. A job in which the worker can make his own decisions was favored by 58 per cent of the males. Females, perhaps more realistic about the remoteness of such an occurrence, were 44 per cent in agreement. Fear of monotony was expressed when only 35 per cent of both males and females wanted work consisting of only one operation. If the job got boring, however, only a fourth would quit and, if the pay were high enough, 45 per cent of the males and