Question

source: extracted from richard hancock, the role of the bracero in the economic and cultural dynamics of mexico, hispanic american studies, stanford university, 1959. note: in the 1950s, the typical bracero program labor contract signed by mexican workers was for $500 for a calendar period of 100 days. in 1959, the average income for a family in the united states was $5400. a loaf of bread cost 20 cents. pay in mexico, especially for farm workers, was much lower. common deductions from a 100-day $500 bracero labor contract food (provided) $0.00 lodging (provided) $0.00 transportation (provided) $0.00 weekend deduction (bracero workers typically did not work saturday afternoon or sundays) $100.00 bad weather deduction $25.00 clothes and entertainment $27.50 100-days \service\ at $.70 per day (\service\ is not adequately defined in the contracts) $70.00 which conclusion is best supported by the comparison between bracero earnings and u.s. family income in 1959? the bracero program provided economic equality between workers and u.s. families the bracero program mainly benefited mexican farm owners the bracero program offered some economic opportunity but maintained major income inequality the bracero program eliminated poverty among migrant workers

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: The Bracero workers' contract was $500 for 100 days, while U.S. family average income was $5400. Clearly, there's a big income gap, so no economic equality. Eliminate this.
2. Analyze the second option: The note says pay in Mexico (especially farm workers) was much lower, so Bracero workers (Mexican farm workers) coming to the US for work—there's no info about Mexican farm owners benefiting. Eliminate this.
3. Analyze the third option: Bracero workers got $500 (with deductions, but still some income), and U.S. family income was $5400. So the program gave some economic opportunity (income) but the big difference shows major income inequality. This makes sense.
4. Analyze the fourth option: The income of Bracero workers is much lower than U.S. family income, and there's no info showing poverty was eliminated. Eliminate this.

Answer:

The Bracero Program offered some economic opportunity but maintained major income inequality