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"Meticulously researched and beautifully written, this work plumbs an important tenet of the American religion of self-discovery. The passion principle makes it easier for us to live with—and even feel good about—enduring inequalities of opportunity. Sociologists of culture and educators of every stripe will read, share, and discuss this book's insights for a long time."—Mitchell L. Stevens, Stanford University
"With rich data and gripping storytelling, this book exposes how an idea we hold so dear—that we should follow our passion—reproduces systems of inequality and might not be worth the sacrifices we make in our time, money, and leisure. A must-read for scholars of inequality, career counselors, and anyone who advises young people."—Shelley J. Correll, Professor of Sociology and (by courtesy) Organizational Behavior, Stanford University
"This is both a work of cultural criticism and a study of social stratification. It is not every day that an author highlights something new, noteworthy, and yet quite general about our culture. Erin Cech makes us question how college students think about their lives and careers, and about the advice they receive from peers and advisers."—Jerry A. Jacobs, Professor of Sociology, University of Pennsylvania
List of contents
List of Illustrations
Preface
Introduction
1. What Is the Passion Principle?
2. Why Is the Passion Principle Compelling?
3. The Privilege of Passion? Passion-Seeking and Socioeconomic Inequality among Career Aspirants
4. The Passion Principle as Prescriptive and Explanatory Narrative? How the Passion Principle Choicewashes Workforce Inequalities
5. Exploiting Passion? The Demand Side of the Passion Principle
Conclusion
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Appendix A: Methods
Appendix B: Supplemental Analysis of 2020 College Student Survey
Appendix C: Supporting Data
Notes
References
Index
About the author
Erin A. Cech is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Michigan. Her research investigates how seemingly benign and taken-for-granted cultural beliefs reproduce workforce inequalities.
