Bridging the Divide: Working-Class Culture in a Middle-Class Society

Jack Metzgar's book "Bridging the Divide" explores the differences between working-class and middle-class cultures in the US, challenging professional middle-class views and advocating for a cross-class coalition of standard-issue professionals.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2021
Publisher: Cornell University Press

In his book "Bridging the Divide," Jack Metzgar delves into the intricate differences between working-class and middle-class cultures in the United States. Drawing from a diverse array of multidisciplinary sources, Metzgar, himself a middle-class professional with a working-class upbringing, offers a unique perspective on the contrasting dynamics between these two cultures. Through his personal experiences, he elucidates the ways in which they conflict and complement each other, providing a rich tapestry of insights.

Set within a historical framework that explores the evolution, adaptation, and resilience of both class cultures over decades, Metzgar challenges the prevailing notions held by professional middle-class individuals about the working-class and their own selves. He advocates for the formation of a cross-class coalition, comprising standard-issue professionals from both hard-living and settled-living working backgrounds. By fostering a better understanding of their differences and leveraging them to their advantage, he proposes policies that could contribute to this unification.

"Bridging the Divide" weaves together personal stories and theoretical concepts, offering a captivating exploration of the current state and potential future of the working-class in American culture. Metzgar's book provides a thought-provoking lens through which we can examine the complexities and challenges faced by this segment of society, while also offering a glimpse of a more inclusive and equitable society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501760310