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Introduction The belief that you can be anything you want to be with enough hard work is untrue in America because the socioeconomic status of the lower and middle class ultimately restricts their opportunity for class mobility.
Major Point 1: Decrease in class mobility is evidenced by trends that show a growing disparity between the upper class and the rest of American society. In 2008 it was estimated that the upper class, which consists of 1% of the American population, saw an 18% rise in their income while the average American worker experienced stagnant wages (CONLEY 260). The average American worker does not work any more or less hard than a wealthy American and yet the wealthy American saw an increase in income. In addition, for the past three decades, the income gap between the corporate CEO and the single-mother waitress has grown – and exponentially at that (CONLEY 263). It is obvious that class mobility is decreasing, and those in the middle and lower classes are bound by the shackles of their socioeconomic status.

This ultimately dictates the types of resources that they have access to. The limited resources then work to hinder the lower and middle class from advancing up the class system that exists in our society and therefore prevents them from achieving the American Dream.

Major Point 2: Race is a major determinant of socioeconomic status, which in turn limits class mobility.
Major Point 3: Because the wealthy keep their wealth and power concentrated amongst themselves, the lower and middle classes are difficult for the lower and middle class to join the wealthy upper class. - Conley 286
Major Point 4: The culture of poverty in America works in a cyclic manner and especially affects the children of the lower and middle class. - Moynihan report