No snark intended, but I am genuinely curious as to the reasons that the unhappy adjuncts stay in a position that is so demeaning and underpaid.
I get why those for whom a non-TT position fits their particular circumstances do it. I would like to understand why those for a whom this job is so terrible continue after they have realized just how terrible it is for them in their particular circumstances.
The truth is probably a combination of this and the fact that it provides a living, such as it is. My teaching combines with my other work (art) and I've got so much invested in it, it's just, kind of like, who I am. The last few years though have been disappointing in that no raises can be had, no matter how much visibility one has or how good the students' evaluations. For now I'm waiting to see how the union thing plays out.
Retrenchment: you are one of legions, and your story makes absolute sense.
I can't figure out why some people mistakenly imagine that adjuncts work as adjuncts because they're deluded or masochistic when the simple fact is that they prefer doing
the dignified and absorbing task of teaching college students rather than work in, for example, a big box store or fast food joint. (There are no jobs these days, folks! And people need to put bread and milk on the table.)
Right. The jobs pay less than normal jobs because they are better than normal jobs in other ways, at least to enough people that there are plenty of takers.
