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2 February 2012 Harder for Americans to Rise from Lower Rungs

 Many famous Americans, such as Ben Franklin and Henry Ford, have built their way from the bottom to the top. However, it is much harder for Americans to get out of their social status than others in Canada and Western Europe. America has a low economic mobility, making it hard for Americans to climb the ladder to success. This may be due to impoverished children, which gives them a late start at education. They are also more likely to be raised in a low educated area, making it hard for them to receive the best education like some of the more fortunate. Furthermore, children tend to follow in the footsteps of their parents based on the parents’ work ethics and educational values. Family background plays a huge role in the lack of one’s mobility. Because of the huge gap between the rich and the rest, there is inequality between the poor and the wealthy as far as being able to experience the best opportunities. However, due to America increasing in wealth as a whole, studies show that 81% of individuals earn more money than their parents. This being said, the individuals have lower economic mobility than their parents.
 * Summary **

 For as long as America has been a nation, individuals have pawned after the American Dream. This entails the finest standards of living that only the richest and most successful people can accomplish. Everyone desires the best, but only a few make it to the top. The American identity is constantly changing due to cultural changes, diversity, and politics. America is known as the Land of Opportunity. Immigrants flock to America so they can better their lives. It is because of all the immigrants that America is called the Melting Pot. America has many different ethnic backgrounds, and therefore, a very diverse culture. Immigrants usually start out in the lower class because they lack wealth. They will most likely stay in the lowest class for the rest of their lives unless they get a good education (The Nature). Americans believe that to reach success they must put forth effort, be intelligent, and have skills. A huge advantage is with the wealthy families and their ability to reach success somewhat easier. There are significant gaps between the income of the upper, middle, and lower classes. This is due to economic mobility, or a lack thereof. There is not much of a fair shot for the poor to make it to the top (Economic Mobility). After WWII, social mobility increased in America due to the large college enrollment number. As time went on, it became more vital for an individual to be educated at high rated schools (Seymour). Assuming that there is economic growth, each generation should be able to achieve a higher salary than the previous generation. However, children tend to be affected by their parents in their economic statuses. It becomes fairly difficult for American children to move out of their class. To continue, economic mobility studies traditionally focus on men, but due to women’s increase in participation within the work force, much economic success can be credited to women now (Economic Mobility). Why is economic mobility higher in Canada? What do they do different? Canadians overall have better quality education because they don’t pay local property taxes like America. They pay progressive income taxes. Also, in Canada one has a 50% chance of reaching the top half of the earnings distribution, whereas in America there is a 50% chance of staying in the bottom third (Why). Economic mobility is a huge issue between Republicans and Democrats. There is an upcoming election in November 2012 and economic mobility is an issue that is being discussed. Republicans, such as Newt Gingrich, believe America is not the land of opportunity anymore because Americans as a whole are too lazy and immigrants are willing to work harder than us. They believe Americans are comfortable living off the government (Readers debate). Democrats often state that the U.S. has large income gaps, which they are not happy about. Both parties can agree that America is less equal and mobile (Harder).
 * Relevance **

 This article highlights a major issue in society that many politicians are trying to find a solution. Economic mobility has been an issue since America was formed. Because this is a big issue, the article focused on the opinions of Conservatives and Liberals. Perhaps this is so the paper would not appear biased. However, why is this issue being discussed now? It is most likely because the presidential election is coming up and people need to figure out their opinions on this issue. Furthermore, quotes were taken from a former Republican Senator of Pennsylvania, Rick Santorum. Many quotes were recovered from Republican politicians, but only one was recovered from a Democrat. When something is quoted, it’s because it’s a powerful statement. Could the New York Times have conservative bias? In the article, Stuart M. Butler, an analyst at the Heritage Foundation said, “If America is so poor in economic mobility, maybe someone should tell all these people who still want to come to the U.S.” He demoted America. Was this ethical to run in a national paper? Might it offend a majority of the audience reading this paper?
 * Evaluation **


 * Questions **
 * 1) What is being done right now to help increase economic mobility?
 * 2) Is the American Dream alive and well?
 * 3) Is America still the land of opportunity?
 * 4) How has economic mobility affected immigrants?
 * 5) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Why was economic mobility higher 30 years ago?
 * 6) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How can America avoid economic mobility decreasing in the future?

**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bibliography **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">DePARLE, JASON. "Harder for Americans to Rise From Lower Rungs - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/us/harder-for-americans-to-rise-from-lower-rungs.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=american%20identity&st=cse>.

"Economic Mobility Project | Reports & Research | Mobility In America."Economic Mobility Project: Ensuring the American Dream is kept alive. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. <http://www.economicmobility.org/report>.

Mack, Julie. "Readers debate Americans' economic mobility and what GOP presidential candidates are saying about it." Kalamazoo Gazette. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index>.

Mascarenhas, Rohan. "Why Is Economic Mobility Higher in Canada than the U.S.?." RSF Review. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <www.russellsage.org/blog/r-mascarenhas/why-economic-mobility-higher-canada-us >.

Seymour M. Lipset and Reinhard Bendix, Social Mobility in Industrial Society (1959); Edward Pessen, ed., Three Centuries of Social Mobility in America (1974); Stephan Thernstrom, Poverty and Progress: Social Mobility in a Nineteenth-Century City (1963).

<span style="background-color: #efefef; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"The Nature and the American Identity." Essays and Papers Online - Direct Essays. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. <http://www.directessays.com/viewpaper/26915.html>.