Introduction
This essay is an analysis of Our Kids by Robert Putnam and provides insights into the socioeconomic status of the American people. The essay is divided into two parts; where the first one provides a comprehensive summary of each chapter of the book. The second section analyzes the themes presented in the book while comparing them to daily modern life challenges. The last section of this paper is the conclusion that pieces together the various ideas presented in the essay.
Book Summary
Chapter one
In this chapter, Robert Putnam explores the socioeconomic disparities that developed in the second half of the 20th century. He explains how he grew up in a society offering equal opportunities for kids at Port Clinton, Ohio. In the 1950s, his hometown valued the American dream of social equality. Young graduates could be absorbed quickly into the working class before contemporary society’s “cursed course” (Putnam, 2016). The author emphasizes the minimal socioeconomic barrier that existed during his childhood by recalling the stories of his high school classmates such as Don, Frank, Libby, Jessy, Cheryl, and Chelsea. Diverse aspects of life such as education, parenting, marriage, and gender discrimination have developed into weighty matters of concern perceived and approached differently by the rich and the poor. He adds that class disparities did not affect their social life and interactions back in the 1950s, considering neighbourhood segregation was unrecognized.
Chapter Two
Chapter two expounds on the rise of a deeper social fault among families with people exhibiting economic and social classes traits. The author explains that while growing up, the society had both the rich, the middle class, and the poor living together in the same neighbourhood. He narrates Andrew’s and Kayla’s family stories to emphasize the reality of those days. Andrew, who came from a middle-class family, had his aspirations, for instance, becoming a firefighter, despite the family’s blueprints for his life. However, Kayla’s childhood situation in the family had her disappointed by life in general before the chance of deciding what to do with like other lucky kids. The concept of two tiers is also highlighted in this chapter concerning families. Changing family structures is a critical subtopic of this chapter. Moreover, he reminds his readers of the fundamental elements facilitating the Ozzie-and-Harriet family.
Chapter Three
Chapter three is introduced by highlighting the current situation of Atlanta, USA. The city has risen to be a sophisticated and diversified global avenue for critical economic activities, rising to the ninth position of the largest metropolitan areas in the US. It became home to CNN, Coke, Home Depot, Delta Airlines, UPS, and U.S Centres for Disease Control. The city also experienced the highest social class and racial division. Family and child poverty rates are rampant among the residents. Furthermore, child development is highlighted as a critical aspect of parenting which enhances the early experiences and socioeconomic environment influence in building a child’s neurological development.
Chapter Four
According to this chapter, the economic inequality existing among the Latino community has continuously grown, almost doubling between 1970 and 2010. This has been reflected in Orange County schools that “input” measures similar in both Troy high schools in Fullerton and Santa Ana High school. High poverty rates, low English proficiency, similar ethnic backgrounds, and poor physical fitness are visible challenges in Santa Ana, where a population of poor Latino students is overwhelming. Considering Troy, a diverse racial background and economically upscale students comprise the student population. The author narrates the stories of Clara, Ricardo, and Isabella about the Hispanic ghetto life, besides illustrating how schoolmates shape who an individual can become.
Chapter Five
Putnam explores Philadelphia about community as a topic associated with the city’s mainline suburbs during the Great Depression. For generations, families stayed in the same neighbourhoods and attended the same social amenities such as churches and schools. High unemployment rates between 1970 and 2000 led to the rise of bitter divisions as poor blacks moved closer to white ethnic estates and drug markets, instilling racial tensions. The growing opportunity gap in the 1980s in Philadelphia and the country, in general, can be linked to contrasting resources and social neighbourhoods. Community plays a crucial role in socioeconomic developments, as seen from Molly, Lisa, and Amy’s stories narrated in this chapter.
Chapter Six
Concentric circles of influence are examined in this chapter by evaluating a series of presented portraits of contrasting lives of American young people. The discovery exists in focusing on the risk associated with the risk of missing the deeper connection between the growing gap in income inequality and the opportunity gap. He emphasizes that economic disparities are vital aspects of community development that require individual and collective attention after turning a blind eye. Undermining family structures and community support as the foundation of social-economic development is why these disparities dominate society daily. Concerning this, democracy has been highlighted as a dynamic factor that affects public decisions meant to empower such kids in society.
Book Analysis
Putnam’s ideas are apparent in the current society, although few people can conceptualize the whole idea. For the implementation of Putnam’s ideas, society ought to examine the ground situation based on facts instead of assumptions. In the American community, the problem on a national scale is income inequality, which Putnam himself has repeatedly argued (Putnam, 2016). Both children and adults, in some instances, cannot get an equal start to realize their own American Dream. As a result, the problem ultimately affects the whole of society, negatively affecting, privately, low-income families and, in general, social tension in society.
Income inequality in America is one of the highest in the developed world. Consequently, the degree of manifestation of the main ideas of Putnam in this country is exceptionally high. He confirms this with official statistics and various people’s personal stories (Putnam, 2016). Therefore, any adverse economic situation exacerbates the problem, as the poorer suffer disproportionately. If there is a reduction in jobs, first of all, they reduce low-qualified specialists. Since children from low-income families are much less likely to receive higher education, it is much more difficult for them to obtain high qualifications to be confident in the future. It is just one of the possible situations that have happened in America lately.
The social capital provided by Putnam is, in fact, far more critical. In the context of income inequality, questions are about the complexity of the economic situation and social discontent, as evidenced by multiple protests, unrest, and an increase in crime in the country (Putnam, 2016). Observing the community, one can notice that the absence of norms of social capital, including values, the efficiency of society, trust, leads to a more complex adaptation of young people to such a community. As a result, the author draws attention to the not always obvious side of this issue: the purely economic nature of most of the consequences of such problems is, in fact, a symptom of the primary social ailment of society.
It is possible to achieve equality in different ways to provide opportunities for children at the start of the journey to the American Dream. Putnam offers equity in education, moving capable children from low-income families to better schools, increasing funding for schools in low-income areas, and building better infrastructure for social services. It can expand its work by creating equal opportunities for obtaining higher education, directing state funding to pay for the education of the most capable students who cannot afford to pay themselves. In addition, programs need to be implemented to provide income for the poor, improve access to essential services, and improve long-term development prospects, without compromising the current economy: provision of food, access to health services, stimulating the purchasing power of the population with cash transfers and fair, progressive taxation.
Appropriate revision of existing policies and follow-up on implementation by the authorities can help mobilize society to recognize the essence of equality, justice, democracy, and humanity for all. Using social institutions such as churches, schools, and other organizations, it is necessary to instil social virtues in the young generation. It also creates humanity awareness that fosters the socioeconomic rectification process. However, the government must embrace this with strict policies against inequality, unequal democracy, and ethnic or racial discrimination. Creating opportunities for disadvantaged kids through diverse and strategized support systems can help minimize social crimes and impact their lives positively. In addition, this can be passed down to future generations using the family as a core unit in improving the welfare of communities. Generally, all American citizens have a social responsibility in promoting this process that requires psychologically ready minds before actions.
Conclusion
This author’s work provides an essential understanding of the problem, both emotionally and rationally. The book allows looking at the symptoms of these questions, trying to get to the root of the problem. Putnam’s forward-looking solutions must be viewed in the context of American society and undertaken comprehensively and comprehensively to achieve the desired results and regain an equal opportunity to achieve the American Dream.
Reference
Putnam, R. D. (2016). Our kids: The American dream in crisis. Simon and Schuster.