Abstract
In this article, I explore how African American teens, all of whom spent some years in high-poverty neighborhoods in Baltimore, talk about their experiences looking for work and working, including under-the-table work. I find three patterns that shape these early employment experiences. First, before males and females are legally allowed to work, their money-making opportunities are largely gender-segregated, with boys in this sample more likely to use illegal means to make money. Second, gender-segregated routines and occupations may work in favor of females. Finally, as nearly all of these households are female-headed, girls have a same-sex role model from whom they can pattern their behavior. To the extent that the mother is working, this may encourage females to work more so than males.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
