Robert Putnam’s book, Our Kids: The American Dream Crisis, provides a factual and narrative approach in bringing forth issues of great importance in the United States. Through Putnam’s empirical findings, he seamlessly moves through individual stories and social-science data related to families, education, parenting and communities. Putnam’s introspective approach in presenting the widening gaps in American society, presents a social issue and challenge in achieving the American Dream.
According to Putnam, the diverge of the rich and poor does not constitute for the problem of achievement of equal opportunity. He argues that social class which Putnam defines by educational level, provides the intergenerational opportunities in America. For Americans with a bachelor's degree or higher, income increases, family values increases, and social capital increases. While, for less educated individuals the opposite occurs; thus, limiting opportunities for children of less educated parents.
Putnam opens up the effects of growing income gaps with his hometown, Port Clinton. Comparing…show more content… Underinvestment in low-income individuals has played a crucial role in the opportunities provided in America. Increased long-term investments on low-income individuals would produce higher economic productivity and growth. Such investments provides the opportunity of a shared prosperity among different social classes. Measuring mobility serves as a critical in defining and describing the American Dream. Eliminating inequality provides for the restoration of the American Dream. Pursuing a career in public affairs substantiates the role in addressing the inequality gap which provides a premise in finding solutions towards the problems that are evident in the future of our kids and the United
