Introduction
The “Majority of Labor Economics Believe Minimum Wage Hike Unemployment” is written by Jill Jenkins. Jenkins wrote in order to capture a diversified audience. In her discussion she makes use of hard facts from the National Survey conducted by the AEA, American Economic Association. The author repeats his previously stated arguments by quoting the statistics gained from the research conducted at the New Hampshire University Survey Centre. The statistics hold that 68% believes that an ordinance wage increase will increase the employers’ requirement for hiring.
Rhetorical analysis
Jerkin (n.p) borrows the concept from the knowledge of economics, which holds that increased minimal wage raises the minimal demand for skilled labor. This increases the chances of unemployment in the country as a result of skill deficiency, especially among African American teens. The author was motivated to write the paper by the increased demand among the labor organization teams to increase the minimum wage requirement.
Jekins (n.p) makes use of statistics, and facts to gain more support from either the existing or potential supporters on her view. The purpose of the paper is to stop the quest for increased living wage organisation, and find ways of increasing employment opportunities for young minority in the society.
The context in the argument takes a modern course because the publication of the press release was done in 2007. The paper concentrates on Americans issue. The paper has had other publications, including the “Living Wage Ordinances Reduce Employment” by Jill Jenkins in 2002. For the purpose of the paper, the information received negative views from the internet based materials.
Jenkins (n.p) use inartistic reasoning and proof to back-up her statements. She uses two main statements to support her claim that the minimum wage ordinance increases the level of skills required in the job market; Employers would prefer hiring employees with better skills, and that the minimum wage will not be effective in fighting the poverty measure. The statements are supported by inartistic and logical conclusions.
Jerkins (n.p) continue to argue her point through the use of statistics to express opposition. She quotes statistics from California University conducted by David Neumark, which states that; in every 10% increase in the minimum wage, there is an 8% increase in low-skilled unemployment. The research also indicates that; the states with $7.25 federal minimum wage increase the unemployment rate of young minority by 15.6%.
The statistics indicate that a wage hike in the society today spells doom for the African Americans in their teens. This is because the teens already suffer unemployment rates, which are seven times higher than the other members of the population. The author makes use of ethos because she concentrates on the effects of the changes to the minority group.
However, Jerkins (n.p) holds that the EITC, Earned Income Tax Credit, is an effective tool in fighting poverty. This is from the statistics that holds that 64% of the population views the strategy as a means of increasing the chances of employment. Contrarily, 9% advocate for increased minimum wage as a measure against poverty, while 6% hold that minimum wage increases employment wages.
Conclusion
The author presents arguments that comprise logic, ethos, and less pathos. The argument presented by Jerkins is rhetorically strong as it uses accurate statistics. The argument lures the opponents of the argument to agree with the viewpoint of the author. The author wants to appeal to the audience’s sense of justice. The reader may react by showing anger as justice is seen as a pillar in the value of the Americans. In as much as she refrains from Pathos, Perkins still manages to encourage the audience into the debate. The reasoning of the author culminates with logical conclusions. This means that there are high chances of winning new supporters in her argument. Perkins argument wants the audience to ensure justice in the community by encouraging equal employment opportunities for the members of the society.
- Jerkin, Jill. Majority of Labor Economists Believe Minimum Wage Hikes Cause Unemployment. Employment Policies Institute. Press Release. 2007 http://www.epionline.org/release/o185/
