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somanytictoc 's review for:
Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis
by Robert D. Putnam
Takes a concentric circle approach to the various causes of "opportunity inequality," focusing on family origins, parenting, schooling, and communities (in that order) to determine why poor kids are so much less likely to succeed than they used to be.
I was surprised by a few things in this book (but just a few- if you've read anything else by Putnam, you're familiar with his diagnosis of social capital decline). First, I was surprised at how qualitative this book is. The central focus is on several in-depth interviews with young adults and their parents across the country. This approach was especially surprising given that each chapter also includes significant quantitative data proving Putnam's point. The decision to tell a story instead of giving a presentation made the book less appealing to a social scientist like me, but will definitely resonate more with unacquainted readers.
The second surprise, and what I believe will ultimately be my takeaway from the book, is Putnam's definition of "upper-class" or "lower-class." He rather convincingly argues that educational attainment is a better predictor of future social class than current income. By this definition, I grew up in an upper-class (that is, college degree-holding) family and am raising my child in an upper-class family as well. This depiction of class in American society admittedly disarmed me a bit, as my politically-attuned mind often equates upper class families with six-figure incomes. I read the book seeing myself as a Have instead of a Have-Not, which helped de-vilify many of his interviewees. As Putnam says, this is a book without upper-class villains. Seeing ALL characters as humanized participants in the same society goes a long way when reading his prescriptions for solving the problem of a two-track America.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and would give it five stars if it had even more quantitative rigor, but that's not the fault of the author. It's perfect for a sociology undergrad class or a specialty grad-level course that doesn't concern itself with quantitative methods, and the information within is highly valuable for anyone who cares about our kids.
I was surprised by a few things in this book (but just a few- if you've read anything else by Putnam, you're familiar with his diagnosis of social capital decline). First, I was surprised at how qualitative this book is. The central focus is on several in-depth interviews with young adults and their parents across the country. This approach was especially surprising given that each chapter also includes significant quantitative data proving Putnam's point. The decision to tell a story instead of giving a presentation made the book less appealing to a social scientist like me, but will definitely resonate more with unacquainted readers.
The second surprise, and what I believe will ultimately be my takeaway from the book, is Putnam's definition of "upper-class" or "lower-class." He rather convincingly argues that educational attainment is a better predictor of future social class than current income. By this definition, I grew up in an upper-class (that is, college degree-holding) family and am raising my child in an upper-class family as well. This depiction of class in American society admittedly disarmed me a bit, as my politically-attuned mind often equates upper class families with six-figure incomes. I read the book seeing myself as a Have instead of a Have-Not, which helped de-vilify many of his interviewees. As Putnam says, this is a book without upper-class villains. Seeing ALL characters as humanized participants in the same society goes a long way when reading his prescriptions for solving the problem of a two-track America.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and would give it five stars if it had even more quantitative rigor, but that's not the fault of the author. It's perfect for a sociology undergrad class or a specialty grad-level course that doesn't concern itself with quantitative methods, and the information within is highly valuable for anyone who cares about our kids.