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.

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.

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.

Informative / Challenging / Melancholic / Contemplative / Unnerving

- The title Ain't No Makin It was inspired by a line from the song "Tracks of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson, reflecting themes of struggle and aspiration.
- Jay MacLeod's work is considered a landmark study in sociology, particularly noted for its close and personal ethnographic approach to exploring issues of class and inequality.
- The book examines the experiences of two distinct groups, the "Hallway Hangers" and the "Brothers," highlighting the impact of social class on life outcomes and educational aspirations.

Jay Macleod

Adult

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Nonfiction

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Background

Ain't No Makin It Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “The Hallway Hangers and The Brothers as Teenagers”

Part 1, Chapters 1-4

Ain't No Makin It Part 1, Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 5-8

Ain't No Makin It Part 1, Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Eight Years Later, Low Income, Low Outcome”

Part 2, Chapters 9-11

Ain't No Makin It Part 2, Chapters 9-11 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Ain’t No Makin’ It? The Men at Midlife”

Part 3, Chapters 12-13

Ain't No Makin It Part 3, Chapters 12-13 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapter 14-Afterword

Ain't No Makin It Part 3, Chapter 14-Afterword Summary & Analysis

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Ain't No Makin It Index of Terms

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Important Quotes

Ain't No Makin It Important Quotes

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Ain't No Makin It

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