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Piney Road: Work, Education, and the Re-Making of the Southern Family by Jacqueline J. Saindon examines the impact of work and education on rural Southern families, focusing on Gresham County. The research, supported by the Rural Economic Policy Program of the Aspen Institute and Ford Foundation, investigates how low literacy rates and available low-skill, low-wage jobs in industries like poultry farming affect economic development and educational attainment. The study centers on twelve women who worked in a poultry plant, detailing their experiences with demanding work conditions, long hours, and low wages. These women, many of whom had limited formal education, often worked multiple jobs to support their families. The document highlights how the poultry industry, which began in Gresham County in 1953, offered employment to Black women but came with significant physical costs due to repetitive and harsh labor.A key finding is the tension between education and family ties. While increased school funding and integration offered hope for better opportunities, the study shows that for many, even with a high school diploma or technical training, financial rewards often required leaving the county. The desire to stay close to family, particularly to support mothers, often kept young people in low-paying jobs within the rural area. The extended family model became a common strategy for coping with the challenges of unpredictable work schedules and childcare needs.The author argues that the South’s industrial policy, which attracted low-skill, low-wage industries, led to a “development of underdevelopment,” where low literacy and educational levels are not just a result of backwardness but an intentional policy. The document concludes with recommendations for the future of the rural South, advocating for locally-run industries with long-term commitments, expanded training programs, and improved counseling services to help young people navigate post-secondary education and career options
