Focusing on small liberal arts colleges, this book explores their significance for students, particularly regarding class dynamics and social reproduction. It examines the role of parental influence and the broader implications of attending a prestigious institution amidst growing inequality. Through this lens, it sheds light on how these colleges contribute to students' development and future opportunities.
Through in-depth interviews, the book delves into the experiences of working-class college students, examining their perspectives on class and social mobility. Rich in ethnographic detail, it provides valuable insights into the complexities of class dynamics in contemporary education. This exploration not only highlights the challenges faced by these students but also enhances the broader understanding of class interactions both within academic settings and in society at large.
More students today are financing college through debt, but the burdens of debt are not equally shared. The least privileged students are those most encumbered and the least able to repay. All of this has implications for those who work in academia, especially those who are themselves from less advantaged backgrounds. Warnock argues that it is difficult to reconcile the goals of facilitating upward mobility for students from similar backgrounds while being aware that the goals of many colleges and universities stand in contrast to the recruitment and support of these students. This, combined with the fact that campuses are increasingly reliant on adjunct labor, makes it difficult for the contemporary tenure-track or tenured working-class academic to reconcile his or her position in the academy.