Making Workers

Katharyne Mitchell's Making Workers examines how modern education influences student identities, shaping them into compliant workers for a capitalist economy.

In Making Workers, Katharyne Mitchell explores the profound effects of modern education on student development, particularly in the context of a rapidly globalizing society. She argues that schools are not merely places of learning but are increasingly shaped by neoliberal practices that mold students into compliant workers. The narratives and structures presented in educational settings play a crucial role in how youth are socialized, positioning them within a capitalist framework that prioritizes economic productivity over individual creativity and critical thought.

Mitchell delves into the complexities of student identity formation, examining how allegiance to institutional norms can either reinforce compliance or foster spaces of resistance. By analyzing the shift towards educational narratives that champion flexibility and global entrepreneurialism, she highlights the ways in which education serves a broader political agenda aimed at producing economically vulnerable yet obedient workers. This transformation raises important questions about the purpose of education and the values it instills in future generations.

Furthermore, Making Workers scrutinizes the influx of new actors and policies within the educational landscape, emphasizing the neoliberal logic of 'choice' that permeates public education. This trend, if left unchallenged, risks deepening socioeconomic disparities and further entrenching market ideologies within the fabric of schooling. Mitchell's work invites readers to critically reflect on the implications of these changes for the future of education and the development of youth in a capitalist society.