57 pages • 1 hour read
Jay MacleodAin't No Makin It
Nonfiction | Reference/Text Book | Adult | Published in 1987A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Ain’t No Makin’ It by Jay MacLeod examines the lives of two groups—Hallway Hangers and Brothers—in the Clarendon Heights public housing project, exploring how race, class, and education shape their aspirations and chances for upward mobility. There are discussions of poverty, racial discrimination, substance use, and systemic inequality.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Jay MacLeod's Ain't No Makin' It is praised for its in-depth ethnographic study and its illumination of class and socio-economic mobility barriers. Critics value its insightful examination of how social structures impact aspirations. Some note that it may feel overly analytical or dense. Overall, it’s seen as a significant contribution to understanding inequality.
Who Should Read Ain't No Makin It?
Readers passionate about sociology, education, and social inequality will find Jay MacLeod’s Ain't No Makin' It compelling. Similar to Jonathan Kozol's Savage Inequalities and Paul Willis' Learning to Labor, it delves into the impact of class and race on aspirations and opportunities, offering rich ethnographic insights.