... one that covers the basics, such as food, shelter and transportation. In Nickel and Dimed, Ehrenreich struggles with finding affordable shelter, food, and other basic necessities because of the measly wages she receives. Ehrenreich claims that, ideally, in order to survive on minimum wage, " one job will never be enough." (Ehrenreich 60) According to a study performed by Princeton Economists, David Card and Alan Krueger, " a realistic minimum wage set at a family ... families are forced to find motels to live in as an alternative, to alleviate the burden of security deposits and exorbit...

• Word Count: 1140
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... they also cut into the profits of the companies by enforcing higher standards in the aforementioned areas. This makes forming unions very difficult, especially when industry monopolies limit job options, and the risk of being fired (a common company strategy for deterring unions), is too great a risk for the working poor. In "Nickel and Dimed" Barbara Ehrenreich takes on the role of millions of Americans who, ... unless they're working two jobs or share housing and/or incomes, totter precariously on the brink of poverty ... and homelessness. This is a dilemma is in large part a result ...

• Word Count: 1585
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate