Internet and Community Exercises

These quick exercises provide an opportunity for students to interact with the local community and to continue research of topics discussed throughout the chapter. 

  1. The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, provides career descriptions, earning information, and job prospects for a range of occupational groups. Research other occupations that might be of interest to you.

  2. Do you know what the fourth Thursday in April is? It is “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.” The program is sponsored by the Ms. Foundation for Women, which first created the “Take Our Daughters to Work Day” in 1993. “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work” is a program that explores career opportunities and work/life issues with girls and boys. To find out more about the national program and related activities, visit the website. Does your school or workplace support this program? Why or why not? Do you believe that these or similar activities are effective in changing girls’ and boys’ definitions of work and family life? Why or why not?

  3. The Kheel Center at the Cornell University library presents an on-site historical exhibit of the Triangle Factory Fire. On March 25, 1911, a fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City killed 146 immigrant workers. In 2003, the factory site was recognized as an official landmark by New York’s Landmarks Preservation Commission. This tragedy led to the creation of local and federal policies prohibiting sweatshop conditions and ensuring worker health and safety. The website provides a history of early industrial sweatshops, along with a detailed narrative of how the community, workers, and unions responded to the tragedy. The website includes photographs, interviews, and documents from the period.

  4. The United Nations’ Human Development Report tracks the labor force participation ratio of females to males. Compare the U.S. rate with rates in the other listed countries. How does our rate compare with those of other developed countries? Which countries have the lowest rates?