A. Miliann Kang’s ethnographic novel The Managed Hand is comprised of in-depth analyses of the intersections between class, gender, and race in the nail salon industry. Dozens of nail salons across the United States are run by Asian, primarily Korean, immigrants who run their own salons as a way of becoming financially independent in a foreign country. Class becomes a large factor when examining both those who own the salons, as well as the types of people who are customers at the salons. Additionally, the intersections between race and class are often very obvious, specifically in the nail industry. In general, the women who work at, own and operate nail salons are fairly well off in terms of yearly income. This is not to say their
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People who attend Korean nail salons are, more often than not, middle class white women. Having manicured nails is viewed as a luxury for those who can afford it rather than a necessity. However, there is often a sort of “class cap” for the types of people who attend nail salons run by Asian immigrants. Upper class white women have the ability to afford more “high-end” nail salons which are almost never owned by first-generation Asian immigrants. Class and race intersect in a way that labels immigrant run salons as less prestigious, and as a way for middle class white women to afford typically high-class luxuries for a lower …show more content…
In Judith Lorber’s essay, Night to His Day - The Social Construction of Gender, she writes that “human society depends on a predictable division of labor” (294). Historically, anything emotional, caring, or soft has been associated with femininity. This is particularly true when it comes to the job industry and how certain tasks are viewed by society. Nail salons are a perfect example of pink-collar occupations. The field is primarily occupied by women and is not generally viewed as a very skillful job; a combination which results in low wages and long hours. This ties in with what Kang says when she talks about how most women who own nail salons aren’t doing it because it’s their dream job, but rather because it’s their best option to achieve financial
People who attend Korean nail salons are, more often than not, middle class white women. Having manicured nails is viewed as a luxury for those who can afford it rather than a necessity. However, there is often a sort of “class cap” for the types of people who attend nail salons run by Asian immigrants. Upper class white women have the ability to afford more “high-end” nail salons which are almost never owned by first-generation Asian immigrants. Class and race intersect in a way that labels immigrant run salons as less prestigious, and as a way for middle class white women to afford typically high-class luxuries for a lower …show more content…
In Judith Lorber’s essay, Night to His Day - The Social Construction of Gender, she writes that “human society depends on a predictable division of labor” (294). Historically, anything emotional, caring, or soft has been associated with femininity. This is particularly true when it comes to the job industry and how certain tasks are viewed by society. Nail salons are a perfect example of pink-collar occupations. The field is primarily occupied by women and is not generally viewed as a very skillful job; a combination which results in low wages and long hours. This ties in with what Kang says when she talks about how most women who own nail salons aren’t doing it because it’s their dream job, but rather because it’s their best option to achieve financial