The article discusses Trump's agenda to revive jobs in traditional masculine sectors like manufacturing, mining, and construction. Despite an overwhelming 80% of Americans believing in the importance of manufacturing, only 25% would prefer to work in these jobs themselves. Experts like Betsey Stevenson express skepticism about the appeal of such roles, especially given low wages. The piece highlights a disconnect between political rhetoric and public willingness, suggesting that the American workforce is evolving away from traditional notions of masculinity in labor.
"It's hard to imagine American workers wanting to sit at a sewing machine and repetitively sew for $7.50, $8 an hour, and even that's going to drive up Nike's production costs such that a pair of Nikes will go through the roof," said Betsey Stevenson, a professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan.
When US President Donald Trump talks about his tariffs bringing back jobs, he means specific kinds of jobs - ones in manufacturing, mining, and construction - positions that have historically been held by men and coded as masculine.
The rub is that most people don't want to work in manufacturing themselves. That same poll found that just 25% of Americans think they'd be better off working in a factory.
Traditionally 'masculine' jobs aren't what the American economy most needs, or what manufacturing really looks like anymore, Emily writes.
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