It made me realize that understanding employers was an anthropological project all its own. I also didn't really think in advance about how employers would be important in shaping the educational performance of the workers who were still in school. It turns out that these things are completely intertwined. Managers look over the report cards of the high school and junior college students who are working for them. They threaten to cut their work hours back if they don't do well in school.
Employers buy their workers schoolbooks as a reward.
They give cash rewards for good report cards. This provides a whole cadre of adults who are paying attention to the school performance of these inner-city workers. While I don't think employers are looking to become social workers, with very little extra effort, they can play a powerful role in encouraging young people to stay in school. I found it in all the restaurants. Franchise owners think of themselves as civic creatures.