“What the political scientist Michael Harrington wrote back in 1962 is still true: most people who are poor are poor because “they made the mistake of being born to the wrong parents.” The middle class isn’t all that mobile, either: only twenty per cent of people born into the middle quintile ever make it into the top one. And although we think of U.S. society as archetypally open, mobility here is lower than in most European countries.” (“The Mobility Myth,” James Surowiecki)
The general emphasis on people’s development and improvement over time supports the idea that upward mobility is possible, given the necessary prerequisites. At the same time, people pay less attention to the effect of their family on their class. When we are born, we are dealt a hand of cards that can vary greatly from person to person. Because of this, some people already start off with unearned advantages over other people, making it easier for them to reach the top and be successful. On the other hand, the only way the less fortunate people can reach the top and be successful is if they can skillfully and wisely play out the hand they were dealt. …show more content…
Many people believe that America is a nation of constant upward mobility with success rooted solely in hard work and perseverance. Poverty and the wealth gap is hidden very well and done so purposely so that people cannot overturn the institutionalized advantages for the wealthy benefiters of the current system. Being reinforced generation after generation, wealth becomes accumulated amongst the same group of people. Therefore, a person’s starting point is predetermined by one’s family background and is a factor that is commonly not accounted for with the focus on the myth of
The general emphasis on people’s development and improvement over time supports the idea that upward mobility is possible, given the necessary prerequisites. At the same time, people pay less attention to the effect of their family on their class. When we are born, we are dealt a hand of cards that can vary greatly from person to person. Because of this, some people already start off with unearned advantages over other people, making it easier for them to reach the top and be successful. On the other hand, the only way the less fortunate people can reach the top and be successful is if they can skillfully and wisely play out the hand they were dealt. …show more content…
Many people believe that America is a nation of constant upward mobility with success rooted solely in hard work and perseverance. Poverty and the wealth gap is hidden very well and done so purposely so that people cannot overturn the institutionalized advantages for the wealthy benefiters of the current system. Being reinforced generation after generation, wealth becomes accumulated amongst the same group of people. Therefore, a person’s starting point is predetermined by one’s family background and is a factor that is commonly not accounted for with the focus on the myth of