The article examines the social construct of the American society and the varying effects of stratified social classes. The author looks at the different experiences that children from both advantaged and disadvantaged families go through as early as the prenatal stages of their lives through to childhood and early adulthood. The article then analyzes the existing disparities that ultimately shape the destiny of these two categories of children.
Child growing up in advantaged family
An advantaged family provides quality prenatal care hence a child receives proper diet, less exposure to toxins and good neonatal health care (Furstenberg "Diverging development”). These positively impact on the cognitive and emotional development of the child, which are the fundamental elements that shape the future life of the child.
Advantaged families also determine the social setting within which to bring up a child, these include exposure to skill enhancing facilities like recreational facilities, libraries, and museums (Furstenberg "Diverging development”). Advantaged children also receive high-quality education as Ivy League schools and colleges target parents with capabilities to pay high school fees. This experience gives advantaged children an upper hand in being successful in the social ladder.
The experience amongst the advantaged families when it comes to problem prevention and care is that they are able to cushion the detriments of certain social problems or even solve them. In other words, children from advantaged families have second chances or alternatives and are not adversely affected by mistakes they commit.
At the early adulthood level, those from advantaged families are better positioned as parental involvement is fee payment and sustainability can be taken care of by the family. The experience for children in this category is that they do not struggle hence can successfully pursue education and further their studies, at the professional level, they acquire skills necessary for their careers.
Early adulthood stage for children in advantaged families is used by parents to connect their children to sponsors, coaches, and mentors who connect them to various opportunities (Furstenberg "Diverging development”). This experience shapes the destiny of such children and they have a high affinity to find their way through advanced stages of job search and career development.
Works Cited
Furstenberg, Frank F. "Diverging development: The not-so-invisible hand of social class in the United States." Network on Transitions to Adulthood Research Network. Available at http://www. transad. pop. upenn. edu (2006).
