Essay On Upward Social Mobility
analytical Essay
1785 words
The majority of Americans, regardless of social class, expect the nation's colleges and universities to uphold the goal of upward social mobility. Many believe that these higher educational institutions should encourage anyone with ability and motivation to succeed. Though there are many factors that affect social mobility, such as the various opportunities that arise in terms of moving within different social classes in the United States; the pursuit of education has become a primary means of achieving upward social mobility (Reeves 2014). As the income gap continues to expand between the upper and lower classes, accessibility and success in higher education is becoming a distant dream for most. Numerous prestigious colleges and universities …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Explains that americans, regardless of social class, expect the nation's colleges and universities to uphold the goal of upward social mobility.
- Argues that education is a crucial overruling link between the social background of individuals and this may reinforce social inequalities and reduce social mobility in various communities.
- Analyzes how the u.s. education system fails in leveling the opportunities between students from high- and low-income families.
- Analyzes how social policies could have attributed to the social and educational inequality between these two communities and communities around the nation.
- Explains that their parents, who were immigrants from central america and had little to no education, were able to provide a vast amount of opportunities for their brother and i.
- Explains that their parents were fortunate enough to enroll them in a private catholic elementary school in middle-class el cerrito, called st. john the baptist, which enriched them with social capital of the middle class.
- Explains that they attended a community college after high school due to the lack of financial aid and economical resources, which would have allowed them to go to state or uc university.
- Opines that education is a necessary key in attaining upward social mobility.
Although I attended a community college after high school I do believe attending a private school outside of Richmond provided me with the necessary “middle-class cultural capital”: general knowledge, tastes and dispositions as well as the skills which are passed on from one generation to the next (Bourdieu 1996:13) that helped me succeed. Community college served several important functions in my postsecondary education. Community college provided a key access point to higher education for nonwhite and Latino students. Emile Durkheim noted, “That accessible public education would be the first step that allows for equality of opportunity in society” (Kelsey, 9/02/15). The primary social mobility role of community colleges lies in its affordable tuition and their ability to raise college transfer eligibility into 4 year colleges. As stated by Claude Fischer, “The expansion of higher education increased equality of opportunity” (Fischer et al.:793). Community college leveled the playing field for me in my attempt at applying to the University of California, Berkeley and allowed me to save up enough money to pay for my last two years of tuition, something that was almost impossible coming straight out of high
Related
- explanatory
- analytical
- Persuasive Essay On The Price Of Higher Educationexplanatory essayGeorge Washington Carver once stated that: “Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.” An education is the first step to a job, a salary, recognition, and a successful life. The greatest pride of a nation is not their military, nor their economy. It is the ability to say that their people are educated. Now, a higher education is so closely connected to the American Dream that it is nearly impossible to reach one without reaching the other. However, now access to that dream is fading to many. Over the last 35 years, a trend in rising tuition prices has brought college education out of the reach of many low and middle class families. Between the higher tuition costs and lower average salaries, families are often forced to choose between losing access to a higher education or being burdened with debt for the rest of their lives. In order to restore access to the basics right of American citizens, it is necessary to make education more accessible by making it
In this essay, the author
- Opines that education is the key to unlocking the golden door of freedom. the greatest pride of a nation is not their military, nor their economy.
- Explains that student debt is over 1.1 trillion dollars, surpassing credit card debt. the increase in college tuition fees makes it easier for students to land in debt as soon as they graduate.
- Explains that rising tuition fees and student debt create a drag on short-term economic activity and stunts long term economic growth. without jobs, more people will fall into debt, deteriorating the economy.
- Explains that rising tuition fees are a huge roadblock to those who want higher education because of student debt, and because financial support is extremely nominal.
- Explains that rising tuition poses a huge threat to those wanting to get an education and even to the long-term economy.
1008 wordsRead More - Affirmative Actions: African Americananalytical essayIt is ingrained in the fabric of this great nation that education opens the door to success and is a prerequisite of social mobility; more precisely, higher education. The ideal that even the poorest of citizens can aspire to achieve greatness with hard work and talent, is the American Dream that is at the heart of every U.S. citizen. Despite his family’s humble means, President Barack Obama rose through the ranks of higher education to hold the highest office of the most powerful nation in the world. According to the Kellogg National Forum on Higher Education and the Public Good, recent polls suggest that 98% of U.S. citizens believe that all people, regardless of gender, race, social class or ethnicity should have equal opportunity to attend college (2003). Despite this, recent studies show that too few African Americans are offered socioeconomic privileges linked with college degree attainment (Harper, 2006; Perna et al., 2006). This association between higher education and income and the persistence of poverty among African Americans and other minorities affirms that increasing the participation of minorities in higher education is crucial to ensuring their full economic and social participation in society (Harper, 2006; Perna et al., 2006). This struggle for access to and success in higher education has been emblematic of a bigger battle for equality and personhood. The “holy grails” of education in general and higher education in particular have long embodied African American’s hopes and frustrations as they seek the “promised land” of freedom and opportunity.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the american dream is at the heart of every u.s. citizen.
- Opines that this paper will address the issue of low college enrollment numbers among african americans and other minorities.
- Argues that the current low college enrollment and degree attainment of african americans is due to the rollbacks that have taken place with respect to affirmative action.
- Argues that underperformance in k-12 education for under-represented minorities is the result of disproportionate opportunity. hispanics and african americans are more likely to attend schools with fewer credentialed teachers.
- Explains that historically black colleges and universities (hbcus) were created to provide an alternative to enrolling african american students en masse at white colleges and universities.
- Explains that harper, patton, and wooden analyzed access and equity for african-american students in higher education: a critical race historical analysis of policy efforts.
- Cites perna, l. w., milem, j, gerald, d, baum, e, rowan, h, and hutchens, n.
- States wilds, d. j., minorities in higher education, 1999-2000: seventeenth annual status report.
- Argues that affirmative action programs are under severe attack by powerful vested interests because of their effectiveness.
- Analyzes how the segregation of u.s. higher education occurs under the auspices of efforts to improve academic quality and standards.
- Cites allen, bonous-hammarth, teranishi, dinwiddie, and gonzález's report on the black struggle for higher education in california.
1524 wordsRead More - College Education Should Not Be Freeanalytical essayThe argument for free higher education is not only an economic issue but a moral one as well. Currently, social mobility in the United States is at or clos...
In this essay, the author
- Argues that college education must be free because of its benefits to the economy, creation of equal opportunity, and the resolution of the student loan crisis.
- Explains that the first federal government backed student loan program began in the 1950s under the national defense act (sourmaidis).
- Explains that american students have accrued a massive 1.3 trillion in student loan debt. the nation's balance was only $447 billion 10 years ago.
- Argues that the argument for free higher education is not only an economic issue but also a moral one.
- Argues that subsidizing college education would increase the number of youth who go to college and decrease the need of those who are already in college to work.
- Refutes the strong counterpoint that government subsidized higher education will result in a considerable increase in taxes, and suggests some reasonable areas to fund this program without any strong repercussions.
- Opines that the united states should bring forth a free, government subsidized, higher education because of its benefit to the economy, creation of equal opportunity, and the resolution of the student loan crisis.
769 wordsRead More - Black Women at Princeton Universityanalytical essayObtaining higher education is regarded as the ultimate symbol of status in the United States (US). Access to a college education in this country is seen as an expression of academic excellence and can provide access to unlimited possibilities. In the US, Ivy Leagues are considered the elite and represent the most powerful ideogram of educational opportunity. According to the National Center for Education Statistics [NCES] (2012), from 1999–2000 to 2009–10, the percentages of both master's and doctor's degrees earned by females increased from 1999–2000 to 2009–10 from 58 to 60 percent and from 45 to 52 percent. The NCES report (2012), found that in 2009-10, of the 10.3 percent Black students who earned Bachelor degrees; 65.9 percent were women. Of the 12.5% of Black students who earned Master’s degree in 2009-10, 71.1 percent were women; and of the 7.4 percent of Black students who earned doctoral level degrees (this includes most degrees previously regarded as first-professional, i.e. M.D., D.D.S., and law degrees), 65.2 percent were women (NCES, 2012)...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that they will examine common practices, policies, and resources that support black women attending princeton university. their interest stems from their experience at state university's women studies program.
- Explains that higher education is regarded as the ultimate symbol of status in the us. ivy leagues are considered the elite and represent the most powerful ideogram of educational opportunity.
- Explains that of harvard's 530 black undergraduates in 2003-2004 academic year, approximately 180 graduates could claim a black american heritage.
- Analyzes how princeton university's michelle obama thesis validates that the lack of presence of women of color creates a hostile and unwelcoming environment for women who identify as black.
- Explains that the princeton association of black women (pabw) stands out as the best utilized resource for women who identify as black.
- Argues that if universities aren't invested and commit to research and discovery, they run the risk of failing a significant portion of today's college students.
- Opines that the lack of noticeable diversity within the university, faculty and alumni reinforces the need for a separatist mentality.
- Explains that the faculty diversity initiative is an initiative adopted by nearly all universities in an effort to increase recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority faculty.
- Explains that in 2010, less than one quarter of princeton's associate and full professors were women, up from 3 percent three decades ago. black women who might be looking for mentors are left with few choices.
- Concludes that princeton and its peers are nowhere near accurately representing the us today in its gender and racial make-up. in a healthy campus climate, individuals feel respected, valued, welcomed and revered by their chosen university.
- Explains that princeton university endorses plan to increase diversity among faculty, staff, and graduate students.
- Cites the report of the trustee ad hoc committee on diversity.
- Explains that princeton university's report on diversity is available at http://www.princeton.edu/reports/2013/diversity.pdf.
1694 wordsRead More - The Cost of Equal Opportunity: An in Depth Look at the College Tuition Cost Epidemicanalytical essayWith more Americans falling to the lower middle class, (Curtis) action needs to be taken to ensure that young Americans are not priced out of college because the price of tuition is so high. In addition, many of our top private universities are in danger of being accessible only to those from the most affluent families.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that educating americans is the most important thing that our nation can do to prepare workers for jobs of the future.
- Opines that making all in-state college tuition free is in keeping with the american tradition of equal opportunity.
- Explains that brandon, emily, "better yet, no tuition." us news, 10 september, 2006.
- Argues that in-state college tuition should be free for all students meeting admission requirements, allowing students from all economic backgrounds to receive the same education. the incidence of poverty in the u.s. is directly linked to educational level.
- Argues that education should be about maximizing potential and training for the jobs of the future.
- Opines that a phd in "medieval philosophy" might be enriching but not career enhancing.
- Cites pluviose, david, reed, adolph, and woodruff, mandi. “education pays.” the wall street journal.
1695 wordsRead More - Two Years Are Better Than Fouranalytical essayFor those that could not undergo the college experience otherwise, doors leading to opportunity are opened. However, I do not share Addison’s view that attending community college is the best method for anyone. Whether college or community college is chosen, comparisons cannot be properly made. It is difficult to determine which of the two choices is better because every person and their situation is different, requiring different methods. I gravitate towards the position of avoiding community colleges if possible, but as stated before, college is not always possible. Private colleges tend to have higher academic standards, for everyone earned the right to be admitted. This community of common ground and similar academic ability creates an atmosphere that is comfortable, yet motivated. I agree with Addison and Hacker and Dreifus in the sense that education needs improving, but I do not agree with their entire view. It is impossible to create a perfect form of education because not every student is the same. A different education than the current is not always the answer because someone will always be placed at a disadvantage. In conclusion, I strongly encourage the option of attending private college; however, community colleges can serve as a wonderful, life-saving alternative for those who desire the college experience, but are unable to attend
In this essay, the author
- Opines that self-discovery, preparation for life, effective education, do not happen in college, according to liz addison in her book, two years are better than four.
- Explains that admission to community college is the golden ticket to regain these would-be scholars.
- Analyzes how hacker and dreifus agree with addison that community colleges exhibit many of the changes they offer for american colleges.
- Analyzes how wallace and ungar agree that liberal arts education teaches students to exercise control over their thinking process. addison agrees with hacker and dreifus, but concedes that effective and efficient colleges are currently out of reach.
- Disagrees with addison's view that attending community college is the best method for anyone. private colleges tend to have higher academic standards, for everyone earned the right to be admitted.
1027 wordsRead More - Will Americans Help Pay for College?analytical essayImagine a brilliant high school child named Michael who has a high GPA and is enrolled in the honors and AP curriculum; he precipitates in multitudes of extracurricular activities including sports and clubs. He gets accepted to many schools and received many scholarships. However, even with financial aid, he and his family are economically deprived and therefore incapable in funding a college education. This scenario is not an imagination but a common event in modern day America. Fifty percent of eighteen to twenty-five year old adults who did not attend a higher education institution experienced a similar situation (Why). These people belong in a university, an establishment whose nature is to judge base on the intelligence not on the wealth of an individual.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how michael, a brilliant high school student, gets accepted to many schools and receives scholarships, but his family is economically deprived and therefore incapable of funding college education.
- Opines that college is needed to differentiate american society into useful jobs such as doctors and engineers to escape poverty.
- Analyzes how the limited amount of scholarships and the government's financial aid has led to people who avoided college because they couldn't afford it.
- Explains that universities were established as early as the hellenistic era in persia and alexandria; however, these institutions were limited to the wealth and powerful elite.
- Explains that education became the standard for all later established universities, and it was the system all early american universities followed.
- Explains that new inventions and technology caused the reduction in demand for labor because machines adequately replaced employees, causing many unskilled and uneducated people to be unemployed.
- Analyzes how delbanco claimed that americans lost their sense of community and no longer cared about the poor's "passage from the margins to the center" in the real american dream.
- Explains that the bipartisan agreement in the topic of education benefits both the individual and the economic system as a whole.
- Summarizes the u.s. department of education's report, "120 years of american education: a statistical portrait."
- Analyzes how levine, phillip, and zimmerman's book, targeting investments in children, tackles poverty when resources are limited.
- Analyzes how college enrollment plummeted in 2012, but for very good reasons. thomson, derek.
2352 wordsRead More - Essay On Social Statusesexplanatory essayEveryone has some sort of social interaction in their lifetime. Even a hermit crab has social interaction with other hermit crabs in their lifetime. The definition of social interaction is the process by which people act and react in relation to others. Humans today begin to have social interactions with others before the age of one. When humans have social interaction with others, it forms a status. The definition of a status is a social position that a person holds. A person can hold many different statuses in their lifetime; this is called a status set. Many sociologists classify statuses in the terms of how people attain them (Person Custom Sociology). Each status also has different roles for that individual play.
In this essay, the author
- Defines social interaction as the process by which people act and react in relation to others. a person can hold many different statuses in their lifetime.
- Explains that when a person is born, they already have many statuses. ascribed status is social position, while achieved status reflects personal ability and effort.
- Explains that a role is the behavior expected of someone who holds certain status, such as attending classes and completing assignments. many people today have many roles, which can lead to role strain and conflict.
- Explains that role conflict is when conflict among the roles connected by two or more statuses.
- Explains that status and roles play a big factor in how we behave in social interactions. status helps define who we are.
612 wordsRead More - The Importance Of Race And Raceanalytical essaySchools from lower social class backgrounds tend to stress more on expected beneficial outcomes of higher education than the students from higher social classes. Students from lower social class backgrounds tend to take their studies and schooling more seriously since they believe that doing so will bring improved jobs and career opportunities. They also believe that improved earnings and job security come along with that. Although some students, who come from the lower class, tend to focus more on school, this can easily be argued. Social class is a major determining factor of people’s life possibilities. Research shows that parent in the upper class participate more in a student’s educational career. Students with involved parents tend to earn higher grades and test scores, attend school regularly, enroll in high-level programs, graduate and go on to a post-secondary education.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that education should ideally be untouched by race or social class, but it is an unreal expectation.
- Argues that schools from lower social class backgrounds tend to stress more on expected beneficial outcomes of higher education than the students from higher social classes.
- Explains that post-secondary education is an optional final stage of formal learning that occurs after secondary education. barberton high school, where they attended, had a classroom built specifically for post secondary learning, offered through the university of akron.
- Explains that black, hispanic, and native american youths have a 50-50 chance of graduating on time. graduating from high school can determine whether an individual is eligible to apply and be accepted into college.
- Explains that there is growing stratification within higher education where some colleges are more selective than others. differences in high schools’ resources may play a role in college destinations.
- Explains that they wanted to interview a diverse group of people starting with high school students, undergraduates, and graduates. they found high and low social classes along with different races to get all perspectives.
- Analyzes how one of their graduate candidates came from a lower-class working family. his mother pushed him towards college, which supports my previous statements about parent involvement.
- Explains that some of the interviewees were adult students who were enrolled in two different institutions. they were the first members of their own family to obtain a higher education.
- Asks students and graduates if their parents have a strong work ethic, does that shape their own outlook of their educational career?
- Opines that education is a major component in today’s society of social class.
944 wordsRead More - Socioeconomic Status Essayanalytical essayEquality Doesn’t Exist America is a very versatile country. Each person plays a unique important role to our society, these roles are called statuses. A status is something that defines you, your social classification. According to Sociology, there are three types of statuses a person can obtain. First, ascribed status.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that each person plays a unique important role to our society. statuses, race, and ethnicity help us deter people's place in our culture.
- Explains that they are a caucasian, young adult female, with low socioeconomic status, but still classify themselves as middle class due to what they have been born into.
- Explains that if they were born a man, only two parts of their socioeconomic status would change; their economic status and their occupation.
- Explains that if they were born african american, only two parts of their socioeconomic status would change, their neighborhood and income.
- Analyzes how people with low socioeconomic status are sensitive to social rejection and have higher violence and crime rates. inequality is bad for everyone based on the assumption that social comparisons only work upwards.
1060 wordsRead More