Class Standing

Connections to the Passage

“Class Standing has a significant impact on chances for educational achievement.
Class standing, and consequently life chances are largely determined at birth…”
-Reality 5

This passage is particularly striking because Mantsios directly conflicts with the American ideology of the “pursuit of happiness”. He believes firmly that people are supplanted in one social structure. I personally agree that a person may not be able make more than his mother or father, but I believe Mantsios slights every single person whom took jobs outside of the industrial world. Mantsios I personally feel Mantios’ “realities” are nothing more than his own pessimistic mantra for an unfulfilled and jaded life.
I agree that all poverty levels are at alarming rates, and the debts of Americans are now bearing the fruit of their consequences. However Mantsios’ numbers seem to account for the human element. That when people are supported by their families regardless of expenses, they have an opportunity to succeed.
I chose this article because I too often write on the strife of other