4 ms·

I did it, therefore everyone can do it? This kind of thinking is completely counter-productive to working towards a solution where no-one has to do it. Unfortun

by chiaro 13y ago

I did it, therefore everyone can do it? This kind of thinking is completely counter-productive to working towards a solution where no-one has to do it. Unfortunately such a myopic self-accountability for one's own situation is deeply ingrained in the American mythos. Ironically, this conception leads to some of the lowest socio-economic mobility amongst developed nations. After all, if anyone can get to where I am, anyone who isn't where I am is in their position because they're too lazy. No need to look at education, incarceration, safety net programs and healthcare. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socio-economic_mobility_in_the_United_States#Comparisons_with_other_countries http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socio-economic_mobility_in_the_... Key quote: ... 42 percent of American men raised in the bottom fifth of incomes stay there as adults. That shows a level of persistent disadvantage much higher than in Denmark (25 percent) and Britain (30 percent).

deleted 13y ago
[deleted]
matwood 13y ago
I think there is a position in the middle between you and the person you responded. I see a lot of kids now that have grown up with that attitude that it is never their fault. That leads to not taking responsibility for their own situation. When I was growing up, it didn't matter if I was right. If a teacher called the house it was always my fault and I was punished. Now it seems teachers are blamed for simply trying to do the right thing. Parents take their kids side even when they are grossly wrong. A local murder case where 2 teens shot and killed a guy after luring him to buy a truck has their parents and friends posting 'free <whatever the idiot thugs are called>' on facebook and twitter. So while you are right that a lot of factors come into play when attempting to move up the ladder, you cannot completely absolve the individuals responsibility for their own situation.

by chiaro 13y ago

deleted 13y ago

[deleted]

matwood 13y ago

I think there is a position in the middle between you and the person you responded. I see a lot of kids now that have grown up with that attitude that it is never their fault. That leads to not taking responsibility for their own situation. When I was growing up, it didn't matter if I was right. If a teacher called the house it was always my fault and I was punished. Now it seems teachers are blamed for simply trying to do the right thing. Parents take their kids side even when they are grossly wrong. A local murder case where 2 teens shot and killed a guy after luring him to buy a truck has their parents and friends posting 'free <whatever the idiot thugs are called>' on facebook and twitter. So while you are right that a lot of factors come into play when attempting to move up the ladder, you cannot completely absolve the individuals responsibility for their own situation.