The latest reports show that more than 44 million Americans owe a total of $1.7 trillion in student loan debt. It’s the biggest source of debt in the American household after mortgages. And this is not just a problem for wealthy, white degree-holders and families. Student loan debt shapes the labor market and contributes to […]
Coerced Labor in America Today
The pandemic and attendant economic crisis have laid bare the enormous power imbalances in contemporary American work life. Today, we speak with sociologist Erin Hatton about her new book Coerced, in which she looks at four distinct groups of workers—from prisoners and welfare workers to graduate students and college athletes—who are not often recognized as […]
The Real Cost of College
As we recently discussed on the show, student loan debt in the United States has increased significantly over the past decade, jumping from $600 billion in 2008 to over $1.5 trillion USD today. Several Democratic presidential candidates, including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, have proposed student loan debt cancellation or free college as a major […]
Sold My Soul for a Student Loan with Daniel T. Kirsch
Student loan debt in the United States has increased significantly over the past decade, jumping from $600 billion in 2008 to over $1.5 trillion USD today. This affects 44 million borrowers and their families, two-thirds of whom are women experiencing the ongoing gender wage gap. How did we get to this point, and where can […]
Spring Broken
UW-Madison students and college kids across the country are on spring break this week. This week, Sarah Hopefl and Eli Radtke look at the history and detriments of letting a little too loose during the break from classes.
