In the book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell analyzes the factors that attribute to success. In Chapter 4, Gladwell examines a study conducted by Annette Lareau of twelve families, with black and white children from wealthy and poor homes. Lareau concluded that there were two parenting styles. Wealthy parents had a strategy of “concerted cultivation,”(104) as their parenting style, while, the poor parents developed the style of “natural growth”(104). Children raised in wealthy homes had parents involved in their lives and placed them into activities and sports. However, children from poor homes had parents who were not involved in their lives, had to make up games and activities and played with neighborhood children and their siblings. Children raised by wealthy parents had a sense of “entitlement,”(105) and were able to “adjust procedures to accommodate their desires”(105). Lower-class children were very different in that they did not speak up for themselves, “and would be quiet and submissive”(107). Gladwell emphasizes the contrast between, wealthy and poor families, in order, to reason that wealthier children have an advantage over the poor children for success in the modern world. Children of wealthy families learn to control and manipulate their environment, in order, to benefit themselves, on the other hand, poor children do not advocate for themselves and do not have the skills that the wealthy children obtain. Through emphasizing the fact that class is one of many factors to success, Gladwell establishes that there must be a change in the future.
I chose this passage because I found it interesting to learn the effect that class has in determining the success one gains in life. Also, I find that I can relate to the lifestyle, of both the wealthy and lower-class child, because when I was a child my parents were not involved immensely in my life, since they were working, so, I had to play with my sisters and neighborhood friends, similar to the lives of lower-class children. However, my parents were strict and exposed me to many experiences like the wealthy children. A question I have is if you personally agree that people born into a wealthier family will be more successful in life?
When reading that chapter this section I did not entirely agree with it. Thinking about myself and the two parenting styles of how the wealthy tend to have more of an active role in their child's life, while poor parents do not. Though this is said I don't feel as if this applies to all families. To take a sample of 12 families and connect it to the millions of people living in the United States at the time isn't the strongest ground for evidence. I, coming from a lower class background advocate for myself to make myself heard because my parents taught me to. I have gained some of the skills that the wealthy have by applying myself to opportunities and experiences that expose themselves to me. These parenting styles aren't just for rich or poor, it all comes down to the families view point on which is better at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Catherine and Zemika because there are more people who come from poor backgrounds that tend to rise higher than wealthy people because they know what it is to be deprived from resources and opportunities. While wealthy people can easily manipulate their environment due to their opportunities and sense of entitlement, poor people have gained the knowledge of working hard, dealing with struggles, and using the little of what they have to their advantage. Poor people are able to manage time, money, and space, unlike wealthy people who have everything given to them. While it may be easier for wealthy people to be successful, poor people struggles have granted them skills to use in life.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with all of you on this topic. Personally, I've lived a life in poverty but my family has worked hard and we can now afford basic necessities such as clothing and even electronics. I wouldn't consider my family wealthy under any circumstance but compared to ten years ago, my family has maintained the same mentality about working hard, continuing our efforts and being grateful for the things we have, plentiful or not. It's not money that leads to a lack of understanding in wealthy people, it's that they've never had to struggle in the same way we have. The only thing I would disagree with Gladwell on this topic is the lack of evidence that Zemika pointed out. As Kassandra said, poor families are able to manage time, money and space while wealthy people are naturally inclined to rely on their money to please their children.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the four of you on this subject. Although I live in a middle class family, we've had darker times when I was a young child, so I experienced a life of poverty and a more decent life as well. In both living situations my parents have been strict, always pushed me to succeed in school, and made sure I was focused on my goals. Now I do this on my own, and I've learned to value and appreciate the effort and struggle my family has endured to get us where we are today. This goes to show that you do not necessarily need wealth to succeed. It is the time, dedication, and perseverance that help you gain success and teach you the value of the money that is earned.
ReplyDeleteI really liked that question and while I personally believe that the people born into a wealthy family are more likely to become successful to a certain extent, the people who are born into to lower income family are likely to become successful in a much different and more meaningful manner. Being born into a wealthy family makes it much easier to become successful, simply because there is already access to money. However, I feel as though people who come from lower income families than the rich like myself and those of you who commented above, are taught success through diligence and resilience. People like us gain success through experience, and not to say that the themselves rich do not gain success through experience, however I think for us it is the kind that is a lot more valuable and worthwhile.
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