This author, Nicholas Kristof, in the Article U.S.A., Land of Limitations? argues that if a person is born in poverty in the United States today, they have very little chance of bettering their circumstances. He argues that while America used to be a land of opportunity it no longer really is. He gives an example of his friend Rick, who was born in poverty and bad circumstances. Rick he argues, was a good person and very smart but could not get ahead in our society that limited him. In the end, he basically died because he did not have the money for the medication he needed. The class gaps that we have in society today as well as the lack of social mobility he compares to the circumstances that drove the founding fathers away in the first place. He points out that the race gap has diminished but the class gap has widened considerably. https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/07/social-mobility-america/491240/His main argument is that the limitations today don't make it impossible for a person to improve their circumstances but they make it extremely unlikely. This problem he says, is what our country and the politicians need to focus on. One of his main arguments in the article is that just not having money is not the only limitation for children growing up in poverty. There is also the violence, absentee parents, and illnesses that go along with the lack of money that are so difficult to overcome.
One point that I would like to talk more about is the issue that he brought up about money not being the only issue that affects mobility. The other issues that he raised like violence, alcoholism, poor nutrition etc. are just as if not more important in my opinion. Education I think is an important pathway to a child having an opportunity to improve their life later on. So many children don't even attend school regularly. Even if healthcare is provided that doesn't mean parents can miss work to take them to the doctor.How do we deal with these issues to give these kids a better opportunity. I would love to hear any thoughts anyone has. This to me seems the biggest challenge.
Programs like financial aid to help students at the college level are really helpful. However students who are from wealthy background do far better in college. Low income students have to work and cannot put as much time into their studies as wealthy students. They also are more limited on where they can attend and how often. The opportunities are there but that doesn't mean its equal.
Marian, I agree with you completely with your personal thoughts on this article. I feel like this is an important topic to talk about and understand especially as people who will one day be teaching students who may face these issues! Very good job!
ReplyDeleteThe key points highlighted in this article are effective in showing what Kristof stated in the article. The response is well written and the final statements on the education system show that there are improvements to be made in the future to help close the gap of opportunity and class
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you about money not being the only issue that effects mobility. There are so many factors that effect a child's upbringing and education and that there has been some improvement in this area but there needs to be more resources to improve this. Great post Marian :)
ReplyDeleteI really like how you connected the topic of education to the article. You also brought up some good points especially with the healthcare example. I haden't even thought of that.
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