Analysis Of Confronting Inequality

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Where would you consider yourself with your ranking in America 's social classes, are you upper class, middle class or even lower class? This is actually very important when it come to you receiving opportunities and in a sense special treatment. I’m referring to of course social inequality which is still very much alive in America and still affects a lot of families mostly in a negative way. This problem in America has grabbed the attention of two authors, Paul Krugman who wrote “Confronting Inequality” and Gary S. Becker and Kevin M. Murphy who wrote “The Upside of Income Inequality”. However, they both have different views on inequality Krugman believes that social inequality is only negative while on the other hand, Becker and Murphy believe Krugman believes that the only way to get into a good school is to be living in a higher economic area. Krugman 's even go about saying that this is why there is such a huge economic gap between social class. According to Krugman “Instead the rise in debt mainly reflected increased spending on housing, largely driven by the competition to get into good school districts. Middle- class Americans have been caught up in a rat race, not because they’re greedy or foolish but because they’re trying to give their children a chance in an increasingly unequal society”(564-565). All in all Krugman is saying that the only way for children in this day in age to receive a good education is by either being from an upper class family or making the public believe that your upper class, even though you can not afford that lifestyle. Which is not necessarily true because if you are willing to work hard enough you can go as far as you want in education. Just think there is always scholarships and programs available for people who are very dedicated to school and their career that can maybe help aid them financially. For example one of my friends that I know who isn 't from the wealthiest family still managed to make it into a good school because he was a good student and was willing to go above and beyond. So does coming from a wealthy family make it easier for you to get into a better school Becker and Murphy have a different idea on how to change the education system for the better instead of just lowering the cost of it. They believe if instead of changing the top of the food chain (upper class) we should change the foundation of the food chain (middle/lower class). This change would involve helping the lower class kids stay more motivated to stay in school longer, which in the end would make them much more successful in life. As reported by Becker and Murphy “So instead of lamenting the increased earnings gap caused by education, policymakers and the public should focus attention on how to raise the fraction of American youth who complete high school and then go on for a college education”(588). Basically Becker and Murphy are just saying that the public should create situations so that the youth that are struggling in school are focused on and pushed to do better, thus allowing them to go farther in their education career. I think this idea is great because it does not punish anyone or anything like Krugman 's solution does. Becker and Murphy solution with the education system is all about helping the less fortunate, rather than taking away from them because they are from a wealthy

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