U.S.A, Land of Limitations By Nicholas Kristof

Nicholas Kristof  U.S.A, Land of Limitations?

            In the beginning of this article, it explains how America is all about giving everyone an equal chance in order to succeed. However, this author Nicholas Kristof argues that depending on your economic mobility the quote “land of opportunities” may not be so true. He explains how if you were born in a low income family there is a limited chance of becoming successful and accomplishing your goals. In the fourth paragraph Kristof states, “The chance of a person who was born to a family in the bottom 10 percent of the income distribution rising to the top 10 percent as an adult is about the same as the chance that a dad who is 5 feet 6 inches tall having a son who grows up to be over 6 feet 1 inch tall.” Also in the third paragraph Kristof states, a child born in the bottom quintile of incomes in the United States only has a 4 percent chance of rising to the top quintile, according to a Pew study.” These two quote helps you understand how sometimes you might be lucky and have a opposite outcome than what people expected and become successful but that doesn’t happen too often. Additionally Kristof states, “Consider that 77 percent of adults in the top 25 percent of incomes earn a B.A. by the age 24. Only 9 percent of those in the bottom 25 percent do so.” Kristof is also trying to get you to see that coming from a low income family where your restricted on how much and where you can spend your money might become an issue. Especially when you want to go to college and earn a B.A. but can’t afford to pursue that dream. There is an article called Rich Kids Stay Rich, Poor Kids Stay Poor Linkby Ben Casselman and Andrew Flowers and in that article the authors state, “Only about 60 percent of children from the poorest families are working at age 30, compared with 80 percent of children from median-income families. (Casselman, Flowers)” This statement goes with what Kristof’s main argument.Also in the outside article I had read it states, “Americans who grow up poorer are less likely to go to college. (Casselman, Flowers)” This statement also goes along with what Kristof’s main idea on how depending on a child’s economic mobility he or she would be less likely to be successful. With these two quotes from Rich Kids Stay Rich, Poor Kids Stay Poorhelp explain and show people that if you grow up in a family with financial troubles, it would be less likely for you to pursue your education after high school, get a degree and become successful with a good paying job. Overall, both articles U.S.A, Land of Limitations?and Rich Kids Stay Rich, Poor Kids Stay Poor main idea is that if you grow up in a low income family there will be a less chance of you becoming successful. 

Question / Point To Share:

Has there been a new study on poverty students when it comes to education? In 2018 is the number high or low when it comes to low poverty students continuing their education after high school or has the number dropped sense this article has been written?