"The Adjunct Underclass" (book)

"The Adjunct Underclass," by Barbara Ehrenreich, examines the growing reliance on part-time, low-paid adjunct faculty in higher education. These educators often work without job security, benefits, or fair pay, which reflects broader economic inequalities. Ehrenreich explores how this shift impacts the quality of education and highlights the systemic undervaluing of teaching staff, positioning adjuncts as a vulnerable "underclass" within academia. The book sheds light on the economic and social consequences of this trend, encouraging a reevaluation of priorities in educational institutions and advocating for better treatment and recognition of adjunct faculty.