The book “Our Kids: the American Dream in Crisis” by Robert Putnam, argues that societies income gap is increasingly getting wider, and as a result opportunity gap is getting wider for young children in American. The rich kids of America are given better opportunities to prosper in society, but those in the lower class aren’t given the same chances. Furthermore, the author uses statistic and stories from other’s lives to prove his thesis right. Also the author provides a solution to this un-American situation by saying that Americans need to stand up and help the youth of America and provide equality for the lower income youth. The author Robert Putnam argues as that the widening income gap increased, so will the opportunity gap in society
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For instance, the author states that “ Such ties allow educated affluent parents and their children to tap a wealth of expertise and support that is simply inaccessible to parents and children who are less well off the rich neighborhoods have families that are able to help them gain connection that are weak or strong tie (Putnam 208). This quote shows that the ties are different because of the income difference. As well as because human beings are very social and find it important to make connections with people whether the ties are weak or strong because there are benefit to it like if the child needs a job and the parent know someone that will give their child a job. By having that connection it can be beneficial to the child. But if the child lives in a lower income home with parent that have a high school education the connection will vary because of it, so will their income and the job the parent. For example a CEO of a company a parent with a high school or less education has a 20% wider social network, where as someone with a bachelor or more has a 45% wider social network (Putnam 209). This shows that those with a better education have wider connection in contrast to someone with lower education. This indicates that those with wealth and higher educated the person is the better social economic stand point to provide a life that …show more content…
The author also argues that those that come from wealthy families will stay wealthy and those that are poor will stay poor. But the author believe that every child deserves an equal chance to succeed in life. That the only way to do that is by opening up opportunities for those that are at an economic disadvantage. This book connects to liberal arts because the author critical analyzes a states of various people lives and viewpoints based on income to come to the conclusion that it has an effect on people. By getting stories from various people and statics to back up his critical thinking. Also by writing this book he gives the reader a chance to understand this global crisis American children are facing. As well as getting the reader to hopefully want to help to make a change in the world. Personally, I found this book to be nothing new because I grew up in the projects of Boston and can clearly see the opportunity gap in life. For example, my school was never able to provide any advanced placement classes, whereas the private schools like Boston college high school offer advanced placement classes. I believe that if school offered the same level of
For instance, the author states that “ Such ties allow educated affluent parents and their children to tap a wealth of expertise and support that is simply inaccessible to parents and children who are less well off the rich neighborhoods have families that are able to help them gain connection that are weak or strong tie (Putnam 208). This quote shows that the ties are different because of the income difference. As well as because human beings are very social and find it important to make connections with people whether the ties are weak or strong because there are benefit to it like if the child needs a job and the parent know someone that will give their child a job. By having that connection it can be beneficial to the child. But if the child lives in a lower income home with parent that have a high school education the connection will vary because of it, so will their income and the job the parent. For example a CEO of a company a parent with a high school or less education has a 20% wider social network, where as someone with a bachelor or more has a 45% wider social network (Putnam 209). This shows that those with a better education have wider connection in contrast to someone with lower education. This indicates that those with wealth and higher educated the person is the better social economic stand point to provide a life that …show more content…
The author also argues that those that come from wealthy families will stay wealthy and those that are poor will stay poor. But the author believe that every child deserves an equal chance to succeed in life. That the only way to do that is by opening up opportunities for those that are at an economic disadvantage. This book connects to liberal arts because the author critical analyzes a states of various people lives and viewpoints based on income to come to the conclusion that it has an effect on people. By getting stories from various people and statics to back up his critical thinking. Also by writing this book he gives the reader a chance to understand this global crisis American children are facing. As well as getting the reader to hopefully want to help to make a change in the world. Personally, I found this book to be nothing new because I grew up in the projects of Boston and can clearly see the opportunity gap in life. For example, my school was never able to provide any advanced placement classes, whereas the private schools like Boston college high school offer advanced placement classes. I believe that if school offered the same level of