I don't think it's actually a means problem, I think it's a community values one. People mostly act in their short term interest. When we do more forward-looki

I don't think it's actually a means problem, I think it's a community values one. People mostly act in their short term interest. When we do more forward-looking things like studying or investing in retirement, it's because we strongly believe those actions will pay off in the future. That strong belief in the value of studying is the advantage rich kids enjoy. Everyone around them agrees that studying is a very good use of time with high expected value down the line, so on any given afternoon it's easy for them to choose that valuable activity over hanging out with their friends. The same isn't remotely true for poorer kids. Some of their friends tease them for studying because "you're never going to get into college anyway," and the adults in their life probably support studying, but in an abstract and understated way. Studying is "a good thing" for a poor kid, while it's a critical factor for future success to a rich kid. Yes, with the internet and public libraries it wouldn't be logistically difficult for a poor kid to study as much as a rich one, but without an entire community pressing its importance onto them it's immensely hard to actually do it.