Skip to content

Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture Paperback - 2001

by Elizabeth Chin


From the publisher

What does it mean to be young, poor, and black in our consumer culture? Are black children "brand-crazed consumer addicts" willing to kill each other over a pair of the latest Nike Air Jordans or Barbie backpack? In this first in-depth account of the consumer lives of poor and working-class black children, Elizabeth Chin enters the world of children living in hardship in order to understand the ways they learn to manage living poor in a wealthy society.

To move beyond the stereotypical images of black children obsessed with status symbols, Chin spent two years interviewing poor children in New Haven, Connecticut, about where and how they spend their money. An alternate image of the children emerges, one that puts practicality ahead of status in their purchasing decisions. On a twenty-dollar shopping spree with Chin, one boy has to choose between a walkie-talkie set and an X-Men figure. In one of the most painful moments of her research, Chin watches as Davy struggles with his decision. He finally takes the walkie-talkie set, a toy that might be shared with his younger brother.

Through personal anecdotes and compelling stories ranging from topics such as Christmas and birthday gifts, shopping malls, Toys-R-Us, neighborhood convenience shops, school lunches, ethnically correct toys, and school supplies, Chin critically examines consumption as a medium through which social inequalities -- most notably of race, class, and gender -- are formed, experienced, imposed, and resisted. Along the way she acknowledges the profound constraints under which the poor and working class must struggle in their daily lives.

Details

  • Title Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
  • Author Elizabeth Chin
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 280
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis
  • Date April 2001
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780816635115 / 0816635110
  • Weight 0.84 lbs (0.38 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.99 x 5.89 x 0.57 in (22.83 x 14.96 x 1.45 cm)
  • Themes
    • Ethnic Orientation: African American
  • Library of Congress subjects Consumption (Economics) - Connecticut - New, Purchasing power - Connecticut - New Haven
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 00012081
  • Dewey Decimal Code 306.308

Media reviews

Citations

  • Choice, 12/01/2001, Page 723
  • Multicultural Review, 12/01/2001, Page 89
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture

by Chin, Elizabeth

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780816635115
ISBN 10
0816635110
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Waltham, Massachusetts, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$1.13
$3.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Univ Of Minnesota Press. Used - Good. . . All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofit job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.
Item Price
$1.13
$3.00 shipping to USA
Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture

by Chin, Elizabeth

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 13
9780816635115
ISBN 10
0816635110
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$4.99
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Univ of Minnesota Pr . Used - Very Good. May have light to moderate shelf wear and/or a remainder mark. Complete. Clean pages.
Item Price
$4.99
$3.99 shipping to USA
Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture

by Chin, Elizabeth

  • Used
  • Paperback
  • first
Condition
Used - Good
Edition
First edition
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780816635115
ISBN 10
0816635110
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.93
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Univ Of Minnesota Press, 2001-04-19. First edition. Paperback. Used - Good. Some marking. Creased covers. Still readable copy.
Item Price
$5.93
$3.99 shipping to USA
Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture

by Elizabeth Chin

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780816635115
ISBN 10
0816635110
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.96
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Univ Of Minnesota Press, 2001-04. Paperback. Good.
Item Price
$6.96
FREE shipping to USA
Purchasing Power : Black Kids and American Consumer Culture

Purchasing Power : Black Kids and American Consumer Culture

by Elizabeth M. Chin

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780816635115
ISBN 10
0816635110
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.03
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Minnesota Press, 2001. Paperback. Acceptable. Disclaimer:A readable copy. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. Pages can include considerable notes-in pen or highlighter-but the notes cannot obscure the text.
Item Price
$7.03
FREE shipping to USA
Purchasing Power : Black Kids and American Consumer Culture

Purchasing Power : Black Kids and American Consumer Culture

by Elizabeth M. Chin

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780816635115
ISBN 10
0816635110
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.03
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Minnesota Press, 2001. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$7.03
FREE shipping to USA
Purchasing Power : Black Kids and American Consumer Culture

Purchasing Power : Black Kids and American Consumer Culture

by Elizabeth M. Chin

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780816635115
ISBN 10
0816635110
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.03
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Minnesota Press, 2001. Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$7.03
FREE shipping to USA
Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture

Purchasing Power: Black Kids and American Consumer Culture

by Elizabeth Chin

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780816635115
ISBN 10
0816635110
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.03
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Minnesota Press, 2001. Paperback. Acceptable. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$7.03
FREE shipping to USA
Purchasing Power : Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Purchasing Power : Black Kids and American Consumer Culture

by Chin, Elizabeth

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 13
9780816635115
ISBN 10
0816635110
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.24
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Minnesota Press. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
$7.24
FREE shipping to USA
Purchasing Power : Black Kids and American Consumer Culture
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Purchasing Power : Black Kids and American Consumer Culture

by Chin, Elizabeth M

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 13
9780816635115
ISBN 10
0816635110
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.36
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Minnesota Press. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
$7.36
FREE shipping to USA