45 results on '"Mark Robert Rank"'
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2. Building the Foundation
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Abstract
Chapter 7 examines the various values that are reinforced by addressing poverty within a structural vulnerability perspective. The schematic model from Chapter 6 is redrawn with these values displayed. If the importance of particular values can be agreed on, and if it can be shown that these values are being undermined by the processes described in the structural vulnerability model, then strong arguments can be begin to be made for the necessity of particular policies to reduce poverty. It is argued that several major principles are strengthened by addressing structural vulnerability. These include increasing human potential, enlightened self-interest, equality of opportunity, social justice, and democratic representation. In each of these cases, examples are given to show how these values are reinforced.
- Published
- 2023
3. Moving Forward
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Abstract
Chapter 9 brings the book to a close. Insights are provided into the failure of America and the research community to truly understand the nature and causes of poverty in the past. The paradox of poverty amid prosperity has been both puzzling and concerning. The country has often provided little support and opportunities to the poor, focusing instead on remediation and “tough love” solutions. Not surprisingly, these have done little to reduce the extent of poverty in the United States. It is argued that a more structurally based understanding of American poverty is necessary. The last 10 years have been marked by signs that the country is beginning to move in this direction.
- Published
- 2023
4. Cumulative Inequality
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Abstract
Chapter 5 examines the role that cumulative inequality plays in influencing the quantity and quality of human capital individuals acquire. It is argued that social class in particular tends to reproduce itself. The analogy of an altered game of Monopoly is used to illustrate this process. Those growing up with fewer resources and advantages will likely wind up with fewer resources as adults. The process of cumulative inequality results in advantages or disadvantages widening over time. Various stages of the life course are used to illustrate this pattern, including research on the neighborhood that one grows up in, the schools one attends, the type of job and earnings one has, and the quality of one’s health.
- Published
- 2023
5. Introduction
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Abstract
Chapter 1 provides an overview into the motivation behind the book and its contents. The author discusses his prior research pertaining to the structural vulnerability approach. The contents of the book are also described. The United States continues to have the highest rates of poverty among the wealthy countries. In the discussion in the text, the chapters are divided into three sections. Part I provides an overview into how poverty is measured and defined, along with a review of various approaches for understanding poverty. Part II details the structural vulnerability perspective. In Part III the structural vulnerability framework is applied to suggest policy strategies for alleviating poverty along with strengthening several fundamental principles and values.
- Published
- 2023
6. Perspectives on Poverty
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Abstract
Chapter 3 reviews various perspectives for understanding poverty. The traditional American ideology for understanding success and poverty is first reviewed. From this perspective, poverty is viewed as the result of individual failure. In particular, individuals in poverty are seen as not having the necessary motivation to get ahead, having made bad decisions in their life, or lacking in ability and talent. The condition of poverty is viewed by the general public as carrying considerable shame and stigma. The second half of the chapter reviews several social science perspectives explaining why poverty exists. These include the Marxist critique of capitalism, human capital theory, dual labor market theory, functionalism, distribution of welfare state resources, the culture of poverty, and the role of social isolation.
- Published
- 2023
7. Economic Vulnerability and the Role of Human Capital
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Abstract
Chapter 4 explores the first component of the structural vulnerability model. Those in poverty are more likely to have characteristics that disadvantage them from competing in the labor market. In particular, they often lack human capital. Human capital refers to that basket of skills, attributes, and qualifications that individuals bring with them into the job market. The lack of human capital results in greater vulnerability vis-à-vis certain life crises occurring more often and with greater intensity. For example, those with less human capital are more likely to experience job instability, longer periods of unemployment, lower wages, and part-time work. Each of these, in turn, is associated with an elevated risk of poverty. The chapter also explores the overall increasing risk and vulnerability in American society over the last 50 years, particularly for those at the lower end of the income distribution.
- Published
- 2023
8. Two Levels of Understanding
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Abstract
Chapter 6 argues that there are two levels of understanding impoverishment. On one hand, it can be ascertained who is more likely to experience poverty through the impact that human capital exerts on creating individual economic vulnerability discussed in Chapter 4. On the other hand, why poverty occurs in the first place can be largely understood through failings at the structural level. These failings include a lack of decent-paying jobs and a weak social safety net. The analogy of musical chairs is used to illustrate these processes. Like a large-scale game of musical chairs, there are many more people competing for decent opportunities, such as livable wage jobs versus the number of such opportunities available. The chapter concludes by presenting a schematic model diagramming the structural vulnerability framework.
- Published
- 2023
9. The Poverty Paradox
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Abstract
The paradox of poverty amid prosperity has plagued the United States throughout the 21st century: Why should the wealthiest country in the world also have the highest rates of poverty among the industrialized nations? Based on the decades-long research and scholarship, one of the nation’s leading authorities provides the answer. The Poverty Paradox develops a unique perspective for understanding this puzzle. The approach is known as structural vulnerability. Central to this new way of thinking is the distinction between those who lose out at the economic game and why the game produces losers in the first place. Americans experiencing poverty tend to have certain characteristics placing them at a greater risk of impoverishment. Yet poverty results not from these factors, but rather from a lack of sufficient opportunities in society. In particular, the shortage of decent-paying jobs and a strong safety net are paramount. Based on this understanding, this book details a variety of strategies and programs to effectively alleviate poverty in the future. Implementing these policies has the added benefit of reinforcing several of the nation’s most important values and principles. The Poverty Paradox represents a game changing examination of poverty and inequality. It provides the essential blueprint for combatting this economic injustice in the years ahead.
- Published
- 2023
10. Living on the Edge: The Realities of Welfare in America
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank and Mark Robert Rank
- Published
- 2015
11. Introduction
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank, Lawrence M. Eppard, and Heather E. Bullock
- Abstract
Chapter 1 introduces the major themes of the book. The topic of poverty has many myths, stereotypes, and misperceptions surrounding it. The purpose of this book is to confront and address these myths with facts and evidence. The book is divided into six sections. Section I looks at the characteristics of those experiencing poverty. Section II explores why poverty exists. The costs of poverty are addressed in Section III. Section IV examines the issue of welfare and the social safety net. Section V turns to the wider context of inequality. And finally, Section VI pulls together the arguments made throughout the book in order to provide a pathway for moving forward in the future.
- Published
- 2021
12. Inequality Matters
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank, Lawrence M. Eppard, and Heather E. Bullock
- Abstract
Chapter 18 begins by examining how much economic inequality exists in the United States. With respect to both income and wealth inequality, the United States has the highest levels of inequality compared with other OECD countries. With respect to intergenerational economic mobility, the United States has less mobility than most other industrialized countries, with such mobility declining in recent decades. Greater levels of inequality are also associated with lower levels of mobility. Finally, high levels of inequality are correlated with increased violence, crime, and incarceration. The United States has been an outlier with respect to its failure to adequately address a wide variety of social policy issues, from child care, to criminal justice, to health care. Poverty is prime example of this failure and the predictable result of extremely high numbers of poor people.
- Published
- 2021
13. Poorly Understood
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank, Lawrence M. Eppard, and Heather E. Bullock
- Abstract
Few topics are surrounded by as many myths, stereotypes, and misperceptions as that of poverty in America. The poor have been badly misunderstood since the beginnings of the country, with the rhetoric intensifying in recent times. Our current era of fake news, alternative facts, and media partisanship has led to a breeding ground for all types of myths gaining traction and legitimacy. The time appears right to set the record straight. Poorly Understood is the first book to systematically address and confront many of the most widespread myths pertaining to poverty. It powerfully demonstrates that the realities of poverty are much different than the myths. In many ways, they are more disturbing. The book is divided into six sections. The first five sections examine a wide range of poverty myths, including who is at risk of poverty, why poverty exists, the costs of poverty, issues surrounding the welfare system, and the wider topic of economic inequality. Armed with the latest cutting edge research, Poorly Understood not only challenges the myths of poverty and inequality but also explains in the final section why these myths continue to exist, as well as providing an innovative blueprint for how the nation can move forward to effectively alleviate American poverty.
- Published
- 2021
14. The Poverty Paradox : Understanding Economic Hardship Amid American Prosperity
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank and Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
- Poverty--United States
- Abstract
The paradox of poverty amidst plenty has plagued the United States throughout the 21st century--why should the wealthiest country in the world also have the highest rates of poverty among the industrialized nations? Based on his decades-long research and scholarship, one of the nation's leading authorities provides the answer. In The Poverty Paradox, Mark Robert Rank develops his unique perspective for understanding this puzzle. The approach is what he has defined over the years as structural vulnerability. Central to this new way of thinking is the distinction between those who lose out at the economic game versus why the game produces losers in the first place. Americans experiencing poverty tend to have certain characteristics placing them at a greater risk of impoverishment. Yet poverty results not from these factors, but rather from a lack of sufficient opportunities in society. In particular, the shortage of decent paying jobs and a strong safety net are paramount. Based upon this understanding, Rank goes on to detail a variety of strategies and programs to effectively alleviate poverty in the future. Implementing these policies has the added benefit of reinforcing several of the nation's most important values and principles. The Poverty Paradox represents a game changing examination of poverty and inequality. It provides the essential blueprint for finally combatting this economic injustice in the years ahead.
- Published
- 2023
15. Confronting Poverty : Economic Hardship in the United States
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank and Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
- Poverty--United States
- Abstract
Confronting Poverty is a text that introduces students to the dynamics of poverty and economic hardship in the U.S. It address four fundamental question: 1) What is the nature, prevalence, and characteristics of poverty; 2) Why does poverty exist; 3) What are the effects and consequences of poverty upon individuals and the wider society; and 4) How can poverty be reduced and alleviated? In clear and engaging writing, Confronting Poverty provides students with the most up-to-date research and thinking regarding American poverty and inequality. It includes the many insights of the author's 30 years of writing and teaching on the subject. It is designed to be used as either a primary or secondary text in a wide range of courses across academic disciplines. In addition, Confronting Poverty makes use of an innovative companion website developed by the author. The focal point of the website is an interactive tool, called the Poverty Risk Calculator, that has been constructed with hundreds of thousands of case records extracted from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) data set. The website also includes a discussion guide on various aspects of poverty along with many other interactive links and activities (short documentary films, video interviews and lectures, interactive data sources, research briefs, magazine and newspaper articles). Each chapter includes an on-line activity from the companion website for students to engage in, resulting in a dynamic learning experience.
- Published
- 2021
16. Poorly Understood : What America Gets Wrong About Poverty
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank, Lawrence M. Eppard, Heather E. Bullock, Mark Robert Rank, Lawrence M. Eppard, and Heather E. Bullock
- Subjects
- Poor--United States, Poverty--United States, Public welfare--United States
- Abstract
What if the idealized image of American society—a land of opportunity that will reward hard work with economic success—is completely wrong? Few topics have as many myths, stereotypes, and misperceptions surrounding them as that of poverty in America. The poor have been badly misunderstood since the beginnings of the country, with the rhetoric only ratcheting up in recent times. Our current era of fake news, alternative facts, and media partisanship has led to a breeding ground for all types of myths and misinformation to gain traction and legitimacy. Poorly Understood is the first book to systematically address and confront many of the most widespread myths pertaining to poverty. Mark Robert Rank, Lawrence M. Eppard, and Heather E. Bullock powerfully demonstrate that the realities of poverty are much different than the myths; indeed in many ways they are more disturbing. The idealized image of American society is one of abundant opportunities, with hard work being rewarded by economic prosperity. But what if this picture is wrong? What if poverty is an experience that touches the majority of Americans? What if hard work does not necessarily lead to economic well-being? What if the reasons for poverty are largely beyond the control of individuals? And if all of the evidence necessary to disprove these myths has been readily available for years, why do they remain so stubbornly pervasive? These are much more disturbing realities to consider because they call into question the very core of America's identity. Armed with the latest research, Poorly Understood not only challenges the myths of poverty and inequality, but it explains why these myths continue to exist, providing an innovative blueprint for how the nation can move forward to effectively alleviate American poverty.
- Published
- 2021
17. Toward a Livable Life : A 21st Century Agenda for Social Work
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank and Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
- Social service--United States--History--21st century
- Abstract
Historically, social workers have confronted and alleviated many of society's most far-reaching and seemingly intractable challenges. As we move further into the 21st century, however, the field faces a renewed call to action as critical problems become more deeply and widely engrained in the world's social fabric. Enlisting the insights of leading social work scholars, Toward a Livable Life grapples with 13 key areas in an effort to identify innovative solutions toward achieving a'livable life'-- that is, a life in which individuals are able to thrive and develop in order to reach their full potential and capacity. To this end, the volume paves the way for the effort that lies ahead for social work researchers, practitioners, teachers, and students.
- Published
- 2020
18. Rugged Individualism and the Misunderstanding of American Inequality
- Author
-
Lawrence M. Eppard, Mark Robert Rank, Heather E. Bullock, Noam Chomsky, Henry A. Giroux, David Brady, Dan Schubert, Lawrence M. Eppard, Mark Robert Rank, Heather E. Bullock, Noam Chomsky, Henry A. Giroux, David Brady, and Dan Schubert
- Subjects
- Individualism--United States, Equality--United States
- Abstract
Rugged Individualism and the Misunderstanding of American Inequalityexplores and critiques the widespread perception in the United States that one's success or failure in life is largely the result of personal choices and individual characteristics. As the authors show, the distinctively individualist ideology of American politics and culture shapes attitudes toward poverty and economic inequality in profound ways, fostering social policies that de-emphasize structural remedies. Drawing on a variety of unique methodologies, the book synthesizes data from large-scale surveys of the American population, and it features both conversations with academic experts and interviews with American citizens intimately familiar with the consequences of economic disadvantage. This mixture of approaches gives readers a fuller understanding of “skeptical altruism,” a concept the authors use to describe the American public's hesitancy to adopt a more robust and structurally-oriented approach to solving the persistent problem of economic disadvantage.
- Published
- 2020
19. Chasing the American Dream : Understanding What Shapes Our Fortunes
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank PhD, Thomas A. Hirschl PhD, Kirk A. Foster PhD, Mark Robert Rank PhD, Thomas A. Hirschl PhD, and Kirk A. Foster PhD
- Subjects
- Economics, Success in business--United States, Wealth
- Abstract
The United States has been epitomized as a land of opportunity, where hard work and skill can bring personal success and economic well-being. The American Dream has captured the imagination of people from all walks of life, and to many, it represents the heart and soul of the country. But there is another, darker side to the bargain that America strikes with its people -- it is the price we pay for our individual pursuit of the American Dream. That price can be found in the economic hardship present in the lives of millions of Americans. In Chasing the American Dream, leading social scientists Mark Robert Rank, Thomas A. Hirschl, and Kirk A. Foster provide a new and innovative look into a curious dynamic -- the tension between the promise of economic opportunities and rewards and the amount of turmoil that Americans encounter in their quest for those rewards. The authors explore questions such as: -What percentage of Americans achieve affluence, and how much income mobility do we actually have? -Are most Americans able to own a home, and at what age? -How is it that nearly 80 percent of us will experience significant economic insecurity at some point between ages 25 and 60? -How can access to the American Dream be increased? Combining personal interviews with dozens of Americans and a longitudinal study covering 40 years of income data, the authors tell the story of the American Dream and reveal a number of surprises. The risk of economic vulnerability has increased substantially over the past four decades, and the American Dream is becoming harder to reach and harder to keep. Yet for most Americans, the Dream lies not in wealth, but in economic security, pursuing one's passions, and looking toward the future. Chasing the American Dream provides us with a new understanding into the dynamics that shape our fortunes and a deeper insight into the importance of the American Dream for the future of the country.
- Published
- 2014
20. One Nation, Underprivileged
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Abstract
Despite its enormous wealth, the United States leads the industrialized world in poverty. One Nation, Underprivileged unravels this disturbing paradox by offering a different understanding of American poverty. It debunks many of Americans' most common myths about the poor, while at the same time providing a new framework for addressing this enormous social and economic problem. The author shows that the fundamental causes of poverty are to be found in America's economic structure and political policy failures, rather than individual shortcomings or attitudes. He establishes for the first time that a significant percentage of Americans will experience poverty during their adult lifetimes, and firmly demonstrates that poverty is an issue of vital national concern. Ultimately, the author provides the reader with a new paradigm for understanding poverty, and outlines a set of strategies that will reduce the phenomenon in America. One Nation, Underprivileged represents a starting point for rekindling a national focus upon America's most vexing social and economic problem.
- Published
- 2004
21. From the Ground Up
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Abstract
This final chapter pulls together several concluding observations, themes, and thoughts. In particular, it discusses the ways in which one person can make an important difference in helping to create the fundamental changes necessary if America is to once and for all effectively combat the injustice of poverty. It turns to a wide range of information and research during the course of the book in order to build its arguments. Sources include analyses conducted with various national data sets; information from the U.S. Census Bureau and other government sources; discussions and interviews with those who are living in poverty as well as with individuals who are working on the front lines of poverty; historical material; and the vast array of previous research and writings on this subject.
- Published
- 2004
22. Below the Line
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
Physics ,Optics ,business.industry ,Line (text file) ,business - Abstract
This chapter provides a more detailed look at the landscape of American poverty, including the manner in which poverty is measured, lessons learned with respect to the patterns and features of U.S. poverty, the extent of poverty in the United States compared with poverty in other Western industrialized countries, and an understanding of the human meaning and pain associated with poverty.
- Published
- 2004
23. 6. BELIEFS AND DOPES
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
Sociology ,Epistemology - Published
- 1994
24. 8. ATTITUDES ABOUT WELFARE
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
media_common.quotation_subject ,Sociology ,Positive economics ,Welfare ,media_common - Published
- 1994
25. 2. THE WELFARE DEBATE
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
Political science ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Positive economics ,Welfare ,media_common - Published
- 1994
26. 11. MYTHS AND REALITIES
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
Environmental ethics ,Sociology ,Mythology - Published
- 1994
27. APPENDIX A. METHODOLOGY
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
medicine.anatomical_structure ,medicine ,Library science ,Sociology ,Appendix - Published
- 1994
28. 9. HOW LONG AND HOW OFTEN?
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
Sociology ,Social science - Published
- 1994
29. Living on the Edge
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Published
- 1994
30. 3. GETTING ON
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
Sociology ,Social science - Published
- 1994
31. APPENDIX B. TABLES USED TO GENERATE FIGURES AND ODD RATIOS IN TEXT AND SUPPLEMENTARY TABLES
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
Genealogy - Published
- 1994
32. 4. DAY-TO-DAY LIVING
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
History ,Day to day ,Demography - Published
- 1994
33. 10. GET TING OFF
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
Sociology ,Social science - Published
- 1994
34. 5. FAMILY DYNAMICS
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
Family dynamics ,Sociology ,Social science - Published
- 1994
35. 12. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
Sociology ,Epistemology - Published
- 1994
36. One Nation, Underprivileged : Why American Poverty Affects Us All
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank and Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
- Poverty--United States, Poor--United States, Poor--Government policy--United States
- Abstract
Despite its enormous wealth, the United States leads the industrialized world in poverty. One Nation, Underprivileged unravels this disturbing paradox by offering a unique and radically different understanding of American poverty. It debunks many of our most common myths about the poor, while at the same time provides a powerful new framework for addressing this enormous social and economic problem. Mark Robert Rank vividly shows that the fundamental causes of poverty are to be found in our economic structure and political policy failures, rather than individual shortcomings or attitudes. He establishes for the first time that a significant percentage of Americans will experience poverty during their adult lifetimes, and firmly demonstrates that poverty is an issue of vital national concern. Ultimately, Rank provides us with a new paradigm for understanding poverty, and outlines an innovative set of strategies that will reduce American poverty. One Nation, Underprivileged represents a profound starting point for rekindling a national focus upon America's most vexing social and economic problem.
- Published
- 2004
37. New Poverty: Families in Postmodern Society
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank and David Cheal
- Subjects
Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous) ,Anthropology ,Social Sciences (miscellaneous) - Published
- 1997
38. Reforming Welfare in America
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank, Lyke Thompson, Joel F. Handler, Edward T. Jennings, and Donald F. Norris
- Subjects
Marketing ,Politics ,Market economy ,Public Administration ,Sociology and Political Science ,Poverty ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Political economy ,Economics ,Welfare capitalism ,Welfare ,Welfare reform ,media_common - Published
- 1996
39. An Äge of [Im]possibility': Rhetoric, Welfare Reform, and Poverty
- Author
-
Lisa A. Crooms, Mark Robert Rank, and Joel F. Handler
- Subjects
Social contract ,Poverty ,Political economy ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Rhetoric ,Economics ,Public policy ,Poverty law ,Law ,Welfare reform ,media_common - Published
- 1996
40. Families on the Fault Line: America's Working Class Speaks about the Family, the Economy, Race, and Ethnicity
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank and Lillian B. Rubin
- Subjects
Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous) ,Anthropology ,Social Sciences (miscellaneous) - Published
- 1995
41. Living on the Edge: The Realities of Welfare in America
- Author
-
Fred Block and Mark Robert Rank
- Subjects
Sociology and Political Science - Published
- 1994
42. Chasing the American Dream
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank PhD and Mark Robert Rank PhD
- Abstract
Most Americans see the American Dream lying not in wealth and riches, but rather in economic security, pursuing one's passions, and looking forward to the future. Yet nearly 80 percent of the population will experience significant economic insecurity at some point between the ages of 25 and 60. In this book the authors show that the risk of economic vulnerability has been increasing substantially over the past four decades, and argue that while not unattainable, the American Dream - as we currently define it - is becoming harder to reach and harder still to keep. The United States has been epitomized as a land of opportunity, where hard work and skill can bring personal success and economic well-being. The American Dream has captured the imagination of people from all walks of life, and to many, it represents the heart and soul of the country. But there is another, darker side to the bargain that America strikes with its people -- it is the price we pay for our individual pursuit of the American Dream. That price can be found in the economic hardship present in the lives of millions of Americans. In Chasing the American Dream , leading social scientists Mark Robert Rank, Thomas A. Hirschl, and Kirk A. Foster provide a new and innovative look into a curious dynamic -- the tension between the promise of economic opportunities and rewards and the amount of turmoil that Americans encounter in their quest for those rewards. The authors explore questions such as: -What percentage of Americans achieve affluence, and how much income mobility do we actually have? -Are most Americans able to own a home, and at what age? -How is it that nearly 80 percent of us will experience significant economic insecurity at some point between ages 25 and 60? -How can access to the American Dream be increased? Combining personal interviews with dozens of Americans and a longitudinal study covering 40 years of income data, the authors tell the story of the American Dream and reveal a
43. Chasing the American Dream
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank PhD and Mark Robert Rank PhD
- Abstract
Most Americans see the American Dream lying not in wealth and riches, but rather in economic security, pursuing one's passions, and looking forward to the future. Yet nearly 80 percent of the population will experience significant economic insecurity at some point between the ages of 25 and 60. In this book the authors show that the risk of economic vulnerability has been increasing substantially over the past four decades, and argue that while not unattainable, the American Dream - as we currently define it - is becoming harder to reach and harder still to keep. The United States has been epitomized as a land of opportunity, where hard work and skill can bring personal success and economic well-being. The American Dream has captured the imagination of people from all walks of life, and to many, it represents the heart and soul of the country. But there is another, darker side to the bargain that America strikes with its people -- it is the price we pay for our individual pursuit of the American Dream. That price can be found in the economic hardship present in the lives of millions of Americans. In Chasing the American Dream , leading social scientists Mark Robert Rank, Thomas A. Hirschl, and Kirk A. Foster provide a new and innovative look into a curious dynamic -- the tension between the promise of economic opportunities and rewards and the amount of turmoil that Americans encounter in their quest for those rewards. The authors explore questions such as: -What percentage of Americans achieve affluence, and how much income mobility do we actually have? -Are most Americans able to own a home, and at what age? -How is it that nearly 80 percent of us will experience significant economic insecurity at some point between ages 25 and 60? -How can access to the American Dream be increased? Combining personal interviews with dozens of Americans and a longitudinal study covering 40 years of income data, the authors tell the story of the American Dream and reveal a
44. Chasing the American Dream
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank PhD and Mark Robert Rank PhD
- Abstract
Most Americans see the American Dream lying not in wealth and riches, but rather in economic security, pursuing one's passions, and looking forward to the future. Yet nearly 80 percent of the population will experience significant economic insecurity at some point between the ages of 25 and 60. In this book the authors show that the risk of economic vulnerability has been increasing substantially over the past four decades, and argue that while not unattainable, the American Dream - as we currently define it - is becoming harder to reach and harder still to keep. The United States has been epitomized as a land of opportunity, where hard work and skill can bring personal success and economic well-being. The American Dream has captured the imagination of people from all walks of life, and to many, it represents the heart and soul of the country. But there is another, darker side to the bargain that America strikes with its people -- it is the price we pay for our individual pursuit of the American Dream. That price can be found in the economic hardship present in the lives of millions of Americans. In Chasing the American Dream , leading social scientists Mark Robert Rank, Thomas A. Hirschl, and Kirk A. Foster provide a new and innovative look into a curious dynamic -- the tension between the promise of economic opportunities and rewards and the amount of turmoil that Americans encounter in their quest for those rewards. The authors explore questions such as: -What percentage of Americans achieve affluence, and how much income mobility do we actually have? -Are most Americans able to own a home, and at what age? -How is it that nearly 80 percent of us will experience significant economic insecurity at some point between ages 25 and 60? -How can access to the American Dream be increased? Combining personal interviews with dozens of Americans and a longitudinal study covering 40 years of income data, the authors tell the story of the American Dream and reveal a
45. Chasing the American Dream
- Author
-
Mark Robert Rank PhD and Mark Robert Rank PhD
- Abstract
Most Americans see the American Dream lying not in wealth and riches, but rather in economic security, pursuing one's passions, and looking forward to the future. Yet nearly 80 percent of the population will experience significant economic insecurity at some point between the ages of 25 and 60. In this book the authors show that the risk of economic vulnerability has been increasing substantially over the past four decades, and argue that while not unattainable, the American Dream - as we currently define it - is becoming harder to reach and harder still to keep. The United States has been epitomized as a land of opportunity, where hard work and skill can bring personal success and economic well-being. The American Dream has captured the imagination of people from all walks of life, and to many, it represents the heart and soul of the country. But there is another, darker side to the bargain that America strikes with its people -- it is the price we pay for our individual pursuit of the American Dream. That price can be found in the economic hardship present in the lives of millions of Americans. In Chasing the American Dream , leading social scientists Mark Robert Rank, Thomas A. Hirschl, and Kirk A. Foster provide a new and innovative look into a curious dynamic -- the tension between the promise of economic opportunities and rewards and the amount of turmoil that Americans encounter in their quest for those rewards. The authors explore questions such as: -What percentage of Americans achieve affluence, and how much income mobility do we actually have? -Are most Americans able to own a home, and at what age? -How is it that nearly 80 percent of us will experience significant economic insecurity at some point between ages 25 and 60? -How can access to the American Dream be increased? Combining personal interviews with dozens of Americans and a longitudinal study covering 40 years of income data, the authors tell the story of the American Dream and reveal a
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