Our Kids

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This groundbreaking examination delves into the widening inequality gap and the diminishing opportunities for upward mobility in America. The American dream traditionally promises that with education, hard work, and homeownership, anyone can achieve prosperity. However, over the past twenty-five years, a troubling opportunity gap has emerged, challenging the belief that all children, regardless of their background, have a fair chance to succeed. Robert Putnam, praised for his insightful scholarship and engaging writing, offers a personal yet authoritative perspective on this pressing issue. He reflects on his high school class of 1959 in Port Clinton, Ohio, where most students enjoyed better lives than their parents. In contrast, their children and grandchildren now face tougher circumstances and reduced prospects. Through poignant narratives of both affluent and disadvantaged youth from various backgrounds, Putnam combines individual stories with extensive research to illustrate this alarming trend. His work serves as a compelling account of the changing American dream, prompting critical reflection on the future of opportunity in the country.