Does everyone in America have an equal shot to reach one true potential?
The ‘American Dream’, an idea that has its roots in the U.S. Declaration of Independence asserts that all human beings are equal, and their creator endows everyone with certain undeniable rights such as life, pursuit of Happiness and Liberty. Every American citizen has the freedom and individual opportunity to prosper and be successful by working hard. Life should be better and fuller for every individual depending on his ability regardless of social class or birth circumstances (Eileen et al, “Race/Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status, and Health”). However, these sets of ideals are not achievable because of the societal structure in the United States, which maintains high levels of inequality. The differences in the social classes in the United States are attributed to race, ethnicity, family class, and background. Social stratification in the American society hinders some people from their true potential making the ‘American Dream’ unattainable.
People from diverse social statuses tend to lead lives that vary in virtually all facets including circumstances during the childhood, education, employment, marriage, leisure, conditions of their neighborhood and access to health care services. These conditions in the end affect an individual’s quality of life. Areas in which the minorities experience hindrance towards achieving their full potential in the United States include education, health care, employment, and family background.
Education
Access to education is the gateway to all Americans including minority and the low-income students’ realization of their dreams and aspirations. The fruition of this dream however is growing more elusive for many students from families with lower social statuses. The Education System in the United States unintentionally denies equal access to education to all Americans. Most universities and colleges play a part in promoting social stratification instead of breaking the class, ethnic and racial barriers to social and economic opportunities (Eileen et al, “Race/Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status, and Health”). University admissions based on class rather than race reduces the number of Hispanic and Black student. Socioeconomic realties deprive the Hispanic and the Black students the opportunity of attending schools with enough learning resources. In addition, there is a low representation of minorities in faculty staff and administration.
Health
Social status discrimination against in America creates disparities in both physical and psychological health. Race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status have been associated with untreated illnesses and avoidable hospitalizations. A recent research in the United States shows that that Latinos and blacks have higher levels of psychological distress (Barr 26). The government has a tendency of neglecting low-income areas during the provision of public services including sanitation thus creating health hazards. Poor nutrition and inadequate housing results in chronic disease and early deaths. Consequently, life expectancy of the African Americans is significantly less in comparison to the White Americans (Eileen et al, “Race/Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status, and Health”). With low life expectancy levels, many people die before achieving their full potential.
Employment
Access to equal employment has been an impediment to the realization of the American Dream by the minorities despite the passing of the employment discrimination laws in the U.S by the state and the federal governments. Social status inequality is still persistent although there are considerable indications of progress. Compared to the whites, Hispanics and the African Americans are twice likely not to be employed and those employed earn 25 percent less (Rothenberg 45). Reasons behind this disparity include education levels and the employment discrimination based on social status. Low income affects one’s ability to realize his or her true potential.
Family Background
The background of parents can affect the realization of a child’s true potential. Parent’s have a big influence on their children’s life including education for many reasons, but most significantly, because they are their first teachers. What children learn from their parents during their early years will have an enormous impact for the rest of their lives. Another reason, which affects the life of a child, is the economic status of the parent. Parents with low incomes always work for longer hours thus leaving them with little time to spend with their children and involve themselves in their learning process. In addition, parents with low income do not have the ability to cater fully for the education needs for their children. Report from the National Educational Longitudinal Study in 1994 revealed that students from families with low income have lower average test scores compared to those from rich families. In addition, the study reveals that students from well-off families are not likely to quit school unlike those from poorer families.
In conclusion, discrimination because of social status denies the victims a chance of achieving their full potential. Both the State and the federal governments should therefore ensure that there is the elimination of all form of discrimination. This can be done by fully implementing the discrimination laws and taking stringent actions on those responsible for any form of discrimination. This will ensure that every American citizen gets a chance of fulfilling their dreams during their lifetime.
Work Cited
Barr, Donald A. Health Disparities in the United States: Social Class, Race, Ethnicity, and
Health. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008. Print.
Eileen, Mark, and Teresa, Seeman. Race/Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status, and Health. The
National Center for Biotechnology Information Website, 2004. Web. 20 Nov 2012.
Rothenberg, Paula S. Race, Class, and Gender in the United States: An Integrated Study. New
York: Worth Publishers, 2007. Print.
