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Americans pride themselves on the idea that we live in a society full of opportunity for upward mobility, also known as the American dream. Is the American dream still attainable for most people? This is one of the research interests of scientists at the Urban Institute, a policy think tank. Visit the website of the Urban Institute and read a summary of recent research on upward mobility by Isabel V. Sawhill and Daniel P. McMurrer (www.urban.org/Template.cfm?NavMenuID=24&template=/TaggedContent/ViewPublication.cfm&PublicationID=5879).

Read through the summary, and answer these questions:
  1. According to the authors, what is a meritocracy, and what is its relationship to the concept of the American dream?
  2. What is the distinction between "equality of opportunity" and "equality of results"? Which do Americans view as being important?
  3. Does the U.S. have a history of upward mobility, according to the authors?
  4. How does education play a role in opportunities for upward mobility?
  5. How have economic opportunities for women altered family life?





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