New study indicates class mobility in the US is worse then was expected (employment, suspect)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The bottom line is that economic mobility between classes is worse then expected. Looking at the data the correlation becomes even higher as you go up in income.
The question is, what to do about it? I dont think we as a society can afford for it to get worse and worse over time. It removes merit from where you end up, and replaces it with the wealth of your parents. And it damages our economy, as the ownership of the economy becomes ever more concentrated at the top, and is not correlated with ability.
Worse than expected by who? This is old news. The concentration of wealth has made it a little worse, but the rags to riches stories have always been very rare. There are thousands of such stories, but there are millions trying. And many of those rags to riches stories have a crash and burn sequel once they start running with the big dogs.
Worse than expected by who? This is old news. The concentration of wealth has made it a little worse, but the rags to riches stories have always been very rare. There are thousands of such stories, but there are millions trying. And many of those rags to riches stories have a crash and burn sequel once they start running with the big dogs.
The article discusses this, past estimates have had a wide range of correlation, this study has gone further to narrow it down, and its at the most extreme range.
oh don'tcha know, people are just getting lazier and lazier and look at those Millennials - they take the cake! That explains it, not the tax system.>.or some such.
The article discusses this, past estimates have had a wide range of correlation, this study has gone further to narrow it down, and its at the most extreme range.
Yes, I see that in the articles:
Quote:
In this spirit, a Pew report out today tells us things about American social mobility that are new—and at the same time all too familiar. Scads of reports have documented how parents’ income dictates how financially successful someone will go on to be. But this report suggests the effects are at the high end of previous estimates.
I never really understood the wide range before; it always seemed a little suspiciously like pandering to come up with reasons it might not be as bad as the numbers seem.
Yes, I see that in the articles:I never really understood the wide range before; it always seemed a little suspiciously like pandering to come up with reasons it might not be as bad as the numbers seem.
I think the issues related to getting it down is a matter of the data, and the fact that the mobility has been changing rapidly over time. If you looked at older data its got much better mobility, and as you are trying to gauge where it is NOW you get a lot of uncertainty.
Of course it is. In fact, I suspect it's a dominant factor. I also submit that fundamentally the cause of lower high school graduation rates among children from lower income families is not caused by their lower income, but rather is related to the transmission of values (or lack thereof) from parents to children.
Of course it is. In fact, I suspect it's a dominant factor. I also submit that fundamentally the cause of lower high school graduation rates among children from lower income families is not caused by their lower income, but rather is related to the transmission of values (or lack thereof) from parents to children.
Dave
Its a factor, but probably not a dominant one.
The idea that its a transmission of values is playing the "blame the victim" game. Its too convenient. Its like saying the rich are rich because they morally deserve it.
But lets talk about family values. Compare:
Family A, 200K income, father works, mom stays at home. Values are easy. Mom helps with homework, family life is often pretty good.
Family B, 40K income, father and mother work, kid is raised by childcare, and rarely see's parents, no one helps with homework. Family life is pretty barren.
The values are there because the cash is there.
Can some poor folks manage it? Sure! But its 100X harder.
And yet, at the end of the day, every single american has the opportunity to better themselves. But they have to choose to do so. I see that as the main problem. At that end of the day people are too content to take their federal aid money, or play video games, or smoke their pot rather better themselves.
The idea that its a transmission of values is playing the "blame the victim" game. Its too convenient. Its like saying the rich are rich because they morally deserve it.
But lets talk about family values. Compare:
Family A, 200K income, father works, mom stays at home. Values are easy. Mom helps with homework, family life is often pretty good.
Family B, 40K income, father and mother work, kid is raised by childcare, and rarely see's parents, no one helps with homework. Family life is pretty barren.
The values are there because the cash is there.
Can some poor folks manage it? Sure! But its 100X harder.
The scenario you listed certainly exists. But among many people, not knowing how to educate your kids is a primary factor in the drop out rate and failure. In fact, having too many kids when your budget does not allow is a matter of ignorance and bad planning to begin with. It isn't just how families lack cash. It is that many parents are clueless about being parents, clueless about the global economy, clueless about college and employment in higher end industries. What do you expect. They are constantly been told that it's not their fault. Instead, its those across the street, you know, those rich people, tech people who stole your wealth before all of you were born. Look, it's a convenient argument and it's tempting. Who doesn't get jealous in front of wealth differences?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
