The Opportunity Gap for
Youth and Children
All Staff Leadership
February 23, 2017
The American Dream – The premise:
“If you work hard enough everyone has an
(equal) chance to succeed”
– given equal merit
– given equal effort
Household Income – Socio-Economic Status
• Top third – two college graduates providing income to the household
and/or one exceptional earner ($200,000 and above) – highest SES
• Middle third – at least one college graduate providing income or two
“working class” incomes (blue collar jobs)
• Bottom third – households with HS or less education – Lowest SES
• The net worth of college educated American households w/children
rose by 47% whereas high school educated households net worth fell
by 17% - 1989 to 2013
• Parental wealth is especially important for social mobility for kids
The distribution of income in one generation now
effects the distribution of opportunity for the next
Neighborhoods are now more segregated by
economics than by race, religion and ethnicity
Fewer of us live in mixed economic or moderate
income neighborhoods
Changing Family Structures
Rich Kids get more face time while Poor Kids get more screen
time
Rich Kids have “airbags” while poor kids are lucky to have
“seat belts”