Best laid plans : women coming of age in uncertain times

Given the range of possibilities open to women today, what futures do adolescent women dream of and pursue? And how do social class and race play into their trajectories? In asking young women about their aspirations in three areas—school, work, and family—__Best Laid Plans__ demonstrates how future plans are framed by notions of gendered responsibilities and abilities. Through her examination of the lives of poor, working-class, and middle-class Black and White young women as they navigate the transition to adulthood, sociologist Jessica Halliday Hardie defines anew what it means for girls to come of age. In particular, Hardie shows how social capital, either possessed or lacked, is not simply a resource for planning for the future but a structure whose form and function varies by race and social class. As these inequalities persist into adulthood, high aspirations, social capital, and careful planning bolster some young women while hindering others. Drawing on qualitative data from a five-year period, __Best Laid Plans__ makes the case for why we need to move beyond the individual appeal to “dream bigger” and “plan better” into systematic changes that will put young people’s aspirations within reach. Given the range of possibilities open to women today, what futures do adolescent girls dream of and pursue? And how do social class and race play into their trajectories? In asking young women about their aspirations in three areas—school, work, and family—Best Laid Plans demonstrates how future plans are framed by notions of gendered responsibilities and abilities. Through her examination of the lives of poor, working-class, and middle-class Black and White young women as they navigate the transition to adulthood, sociologist Jessica Halliday Hardie defines anew what it means for young women to come of age. In particular, Hardie shows how social capital, either possessed or lacked, is not simply a resource for planning for the future but a structure whose form and function varies by social class and race. As these inequalities persist into adulthood, high aspirations, social capital, and careful planning bolster some young women while hindering others.

Drawing on qualitative data from a five-year period, Best Laid Plans makes the case for why we need to move beyond the individual appeal to “dream bigger” and “plan better” and toward systematic changes that will put young people’s aspirations within reach. Given the range of possibilities open to women today, what futures do adolescent girls dream of and pursue? And how do social class and race play into their trajectories? In asking young women about their aspirations in three areas—school, work, and family— Best Laid Plans demonstrates how future plans are framed by notions of gendered responsibilities and abilities. Through her examination of the lives of poor, working-class, and middle-class Black and White young women as they navigate the transition to adulthood, sociologist Jessica Halliday Hardie defines anew what it means for young women to come of age. In particular, Hardie shows how social capital, either possessed or lacked, is not simply a resource for planning for the future but a structure whose form and function varies by social class and race. As these inequalities persist into adulthood, high aspirations, social capital, and careful planning bolster some young women while hindering others. Drawing on qualitative data from a five-year period, Best Laid Plans makes the case for why we need to move beyond the individual appeal to "dream bigger" and "plan better" and toward systematic changes that will put young people's aspirations within reach. "Given the range of possibilities open to women today, what futures do adolescent women dream of and pursue? And how do social class and race inequalities play into their trajectories? Asking young women about aspirations in three areas--school, work, and family--Best Laid Plans shows how future plans are framed by notions of gendered responsibilities and abilities. Examining the lives of poor, working-class, and middle-class Black and White young women as they navigate the transition to adulthood, sociologist Jessica Halliday Hardie shows anew what it means for girls to come of age. In particular, Hardie shows how social capital is not simply a resource for planning for the future, either possessed or lacked, but a structure whose form and function varies by race and social class. As these inequalities persist into adulthood, high aspirations, social capital, and careful planning bolster some young women while hindering others. Drawing on qualitative data from a five-year period, Best Laid Plans makes the case for why we need to move beyond the individual appeal to 'dream bigger' and 'plan better' into systematic changes that will put young people's aspirations within reach"-- Provided by publisher Given the range of possibilities open to women today, what futures do adolescent women dream of and pursue? And how do social class and race play into their trajectories? In asking young women about their aspirations in three areas—school, work, and family— Best Laid Plans demonstrates how future plans are framed by notions of gendered responsibilities and abilities. Through her examination of the lives of poor, working-class, and middle-class Black and White young women as they navigate the transition to adulthood, sociologist Jessica Halliday Hardie defines anew what it means for girls to come of age. In particular, Hardie shows how social capital, either possessed or lacked, is not simply a resource for planning for the future but a structure whose form and function varies by race and social class. As these inequalities persist into adulthood, high aspirations, social capital, and careful planning bolster some young women while hindering others. Drawing on qualitative data from a five-year period, Best Laid Plans makes the case for why we need to move beyond the individual appeal to “dream bigger” and “plan better” into systematic changes that will put young people’s aspirations within reach. Contents Illustrations Acknowledgments Introduction Part I. Reconsidering Aspirations 1. High School Girls’ Plans 2. Anticipating a Packaged Future 3. Hoping for a Repackaged Future Part II. Traversing the Transition to Adulthood 4. Dreams Unfurled 5. On Track 6. Holding On 7. Navigating Rough Seas Conclusion: Beyond Planfulness Appendix: Methodology Notes References Index