Why in all probability there is very little, even no likelihood that an American

1. 83

   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   Why in all probability there is very little, even no likelihood that an American child from a lower
   
   middle, lower, and impoverished socioeconomic background will become highly educated, very successful/accomplished, and socioeconomically affluent but instead more likely to either remain poor or impoverished, even sinking further into the underclass?  Are American children from lower middle, lower, and impoverished socioeconomic backgrounds doomed educationally and socioeconomically to very dire circumstances with extremely bleak outcomes?
   
   

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2. 69

   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   "Are American children from lower middle, lower, and impoverished socioeconomic backgrounds doomed educationally and socioeconomically to very dire circumstances with extremely bleak outcomes?"
   I think many are however there always are exceptions. Some children grow up to play or major sports teams or become successful rappers, singers, actors, or entertainers. Some will join the military to escape their circumstances and go onto make something out of their lives. There are also those who will get academic scholarships and there will some who learn a trade such as bricklayer, electrician, auto mechanic, carpenter, welder, or truck driver. All of these choices can lead to having a lower-middle class life and beyond if there is a "plan".
   There is no sin in being born poor or in an impoverished area. It's making bad choices and not having goals that keeps one down. Avoiding gangs, drugs, pregnancies, associating with known criminals, and stealing are easy traps to fall into especially if one's parents aren't role models or at least showing them a potential future they could have.
   Being young generally means being immature. When you're young you only think about right NOW. A 14 year old can't envision being 18 and graduating from high school. That seems like a lifetime away!
   Therefore if one of their friends tells them they a have way to make a few hundred or thousands of dollars doing something illegal that sounds better than delivering newspapers or wearing a uniform and working at McDonalds.
   The promise of fast easy money keeps many impoverished youth from having long-term goals and working steady to achieve them. This also explains why there is a higher incarceration rate for them.
   "Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world." - Joel A. Barker
   The first step is a person has to decide to get out of poverty.
   Believe it or not some people don't want to move away from impoverished areas. Others who have gotten out continue to come back and associate with those they grew up with.
   One should examine all of their legal options and then create a plan. The bear minimum would be to finish high school, join the military or get a civil service job. Even learning how to sell products and services for a company in an entry level position can turn things around. If one has a minimum wage job and a friend who also has one they become roommates and MOVE to a nicer area.
   Networking can be a goldmine!

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      gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Second best answer yet again!

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3. 60

   Kiss andTalesposted 9 years ago

   To answer this question in a positive way , A quote most remembered by less Brown , is Never let some ones Idea or perception of you be your reality because you are in the driver seat of your own life, you control your own outcome .this is very true.

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      gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Great answer by the way!

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      Kiss andTalesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your good feedback gmwillians.

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      chuckandus6posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I love this qoute and I think everyone should live by this.

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4. 75

   Skarletposted 9 years ago

   Unfortunately, people from poor backgrounds simply repeat what they have seen their parents & friends do, has not been a formula for success. In the United States we have more opportunities than in any other country, so, if one cannot make it in the U.S. they certainly will not make in any other country.  Attitude is everything, & if one wants to be a success they must do things differently than their parents & friends have done.  Basically, they need to be open minded & not allow the negative mood of their peers to rub off on them. Many poor people delight in their victim mentality & will actually try to pull down their friends who attempt to better themselves.
   Gang infested neighborhoods threaten to kill kids who get jobs & struggle to put themselves through school.
   My father, who grew up in a poor socialist country, was put into a progressive school by the government because he was very bright & he used to take off his sweater before walking home through the slums because he would be picked on by the poor kids who dropped out of school because they would see the crest on his sweater. Basically, that loser mentality kept those kids down and , made my father, feel awkward about doing well.
   Victim mentality is on the rise & therefore we will see a lot less poor people getting ahead. Those who don't buy into the political mess stand a very good chance of changing their circumstances.
   My favorite example of this was a Mexican lady I met many years ago. She was in the United States legally, but she had a strong accent. She got a job at McDonald's, & while all her coworkers whined about being underpaid and overworked she separated herself from the complainers & paid close attention to the business. Many others of Mexican decent also worked with her & were fond of stating that because they were Mexican they would never get ahead. One day this lady told be how she felt about them. She said, they are not Mexican, they are Americans with a chip on their shoulder. They look Mexican, but they speak perfect English and they have a mountain of opportunities at their feet that they don't see because they are too busy complaining. She believed that she had a great opportunity to work with McDonald"s, because she said it was one of the must successful businesses in the world, and was getting paid every day to study at "McDonald's university."  Needless to say she went on to open many businesses.
   She now supports her parents, her children, and herself in style.

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5. 0

   savvydatingposted 9 years ago

   You might have a hard time selling that idea to most (now American) immigrants who generally do go on to become successful, having lived in countries that provided almost zero opportunity for growth. As for inner city kids, they absolutely do have more issues, although the opportunity is there, notwithstanding the fact that their environment is greatly depressed. Consequently, they may have no idea how to get themselves out of their static or violent lives unless they can find a mentor who will be there for them, given that their parents are either physically or emotionally absent.
   
   My brother and I both grew up in housing projects. Nevertheless, we both managed to attend private schools with the help of churches and scholarships. My brother is now the Dean  of a college. He would disagree with your theory "on its face" as do I. The issue of poverty is much more complex than you make it out to be. Some of our greatest leaders were dirt poor growing up, yet somehow managed to overcome their poverty. That being said, it isn't easy, but it can be done---more so in this country than in any other.

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      gmwilliamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      A+++++ ANSWER!!!!!

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