4 ms·

I used to believe this so I did some tests. I gave opportunities to people at what many would consider the lowest levels of society. I found that even with th

by fnid 17y ago

I used to believe this so I did some tests. I gave opportunities to people at what many would consider the lowest levels of society. I found that even with those opportunities, they continued to treat others with a lack of respect. The kind of lack of respect that makes people not want to help them or even be around them. I even rent-to-owned a house to a family with 5 kids. This family would never have had the opportunity to own a house had I not given them that opportunity. They didn't have a high school diploma, no credit. Judgements against them. Criminal history. So I thought, "If they have the opportunity, will they take it to improve their life? If they have the opportunity to buy and own a home, will they make the most of it?" They destroyed the house. They caused more damage than they paid in rent. It isn't the lack of opportunity. I thought it was, but it isn't. Opportunities are external motivators. It takes internal motivation to succeed. You can't provide that to someone. They have to create it within themselves. It's the people who have that internal motivation who find opportunities and make the most of them.

rw 17y ago
See also: socialization, nature vs. nurture, anecdotes != data.
gnaritas 17y ago
And what makes you think such motivation isn't environmental? With the right opportunities earlier in life, they may have developed that internal drive.
andreyf 17y ago
Well, I certainly agree with your point that economic opportunity alone is insufficient for wealth creation. If element you're pointing out is missing from low-SES communities is that unquantifiable culture, and I agree. Since this puts us way off the track of political correctness, I'll bring up what I consider the shining example of social mobility in the US: American Jews. I would argue that the Jewish community maximizes both economic opportunity and a variety of social pressures - on education, family, and community.

by fnid 17y ago

rw 17y ago

See also: socialization, nature vs. nurture, anecdotes != data.

gnaritas 17y ago

And what makes you think such motivation isn't environmental? With the right opportunities earlier in life, they may have developed that internal drive.

andreyf 17y ago

Well, I certainly agree with your point that economic opportunity alone is insufficient for wealth creation. If element you're pointing out is missing from low-SES communities is that unquantifiable culture, and I agree. Since this puts us way off the track of political correctness, I'll bring up what I consider the shining example of social mobility in the US: American Jews. I would argue that the Jewish community maximizes both economic opportunity and a variety of social pressures - on education, family, and community.