Wealth Gap

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While the growing wealth gap has been advantageous for some, it has been destructive for a much larger portion of the population. Through my research on the topic of education, I noticed a startling trend in the continued lack of success for those with a low socioeconomic status. Poor education is the root of the dangerous cycle. Those who are disadvantaged fall behind their wealthy peers during schooling. They also lack the funds to be able to get outside help or pay college tuition. With their lackluster education, they are unable to find a well-paying job. They are unable to move to an area with better schools and opportunities for their children, which makes the cycle repeat. This cycle has caused a severe lack of economic upward mobility …show more content…

This should be independent of one’s parents’ education. This issue is more pervasive and destructive than many think. It could also be said that “Today, the proficiency gap between the poor and the rich is nearly twice as large as that between black and white children” (Porter). The education of African-Americans before desegregation, and even in some cases after, was so inferior to what was received by white students. If the poor are two times further behind in education than the African-americans were, then this issue is extremely discriminatory and something that must be reconciled as soon as possible. This piece of evidence really struck a chord with me because it related today’s education system to something that was an atrocity and received ample backlash. It really put into perspective the extent to which there is an education breach, and how instead of black vs. white, it is now rich vs. poor. The education that disadvantaged children receive is so lacking, that, “Even the best performers from disadvantaged backgrounds, who enter kindergarten reading as well as the smartest rich kids, fall behind over the course of their schooling” (Porter). The U.S. education system is blatantly failing to serve the children from a disadvantaged background. They can come in with an advantage over the rich, …show more content…

The implications can be found when looking into the future. The effects are larger than affecting the individuals who are receiving the short end of the stick in the economy. According to Forbes Magazine, there is, “a ‘negative and statistically significant’ correlation between income inequality and economic growth” (Sherman). This is a national issue that is detrimental to the economy and something that will only grow as time goes on. In addition, a large gap, “in pay limits the ability of poorer and middle-income Americans to improve their living standards, the economists say” (Rugaber). Even those who seem to be immune to this predicament will still be affected by the education inequality. Politicians, the wealthy, and everyone in this country could benefit from increased equality, myself included. I was most surprised by the severity and cyclic nature of education and income that are so interconnected. This reiterative nature of the cycles is what assaults the ideal of equality in the country the hardest. I found that the issues of inequality were much more personal than I originally believed. This issue is one that strikes the heart of every American. The next generation is not being adequately educated unless they are rich, and there is a minute percentage of the population controlling the majority of the nation’s wealth. Equality is what this nation was originally built off of, yet it is also a principle that is severely

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