Nickel and Dime questions

B. Ehrenreich's experience points out the economic importance of the spatial layout of cities. Which distances (e.g., from what to what) were important or posed special challenges for Ehrenreich? What do you think were the economic circumstances or incentives that led to the location of these businesses or services? 9. Ehrenreich's life was made much easier by the availability of a car. How would a low wage worker fare in the absence of this convenience? How would it affect their labor supply and housing decisions? 10. Why did Ehrenreich stay in motels for $200 per week, which was more expensive than the going apartment rentals? 11. Ehrenreich is sympathetic to unions but acknowledges that they have some shortcomings. From the businesses', employees', and consumers' perspectives, what are the benefits and costs of unionism? 12. Unless you count Budgie, Ehrenreich had no real family responsibility during her experiment. How wouid her routine have changed if she were responsible for children? How would her economic circumstances have changed? Given the historical patterns of childcare and the current trends in child custody in divorce cases, would these challenges fall more heavily upon low wage women? 13. What is meant by the term \"mother's hours,\" a 'benet" offered by the maid service in Maine? Is this job trait likely to raise wages, lower wages, or leave wages unaffected? Should we think of this as a benet? Can you think of other job characteristics that would be associated with higher or lower wages? 14. Why didn't the low wage workers just switch to higher paying jobs (Ehrenreich notes that there were higher paying jobs available)? What circumstances discourage low wage workers from seeking out and taking the best paying job that they can nd