Picture two 15-year-old children. One has a strong family, but lacks ambition. The other has a strong work ethic, but an abusive family. Which of these two do you think would be more likely to achieve the American Dream?
We asked this question as part of our research project looking at the American Dream. Almost 70% of respondents believed that the child in the abusive family is more likely to achieve the American Dream. This defies all social science, which suggests the opposite.
Sometimes we conflate the possible with the probable. After all, thinking about what is possible makes us feel good. Thinking about what is probable, not so much.
For our children, do we work so their happiness is just possible? Or probable?
Right, now shouldn’t we do that for everyone?
Read more about our state of MOBILITY.