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Bridging the Class Divide: Rebuilding the American Dream

Alex Reed

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Bridging the Class Divide is a groundbreaking book that exposes the widening class divide in America and offers a roadmap for bridging the gap. Sociologist and author Annette Lareau argues that the class divide is not simply a matter of income inequality, but a complex system of social and economic barriers that make it difficult for people to move up the economic ladder.

Lareau draws on her extensive research to show how the class divide is perpetuated by a variety of factors, including:

Educational inequality: Children from wealthy families have access to better schools and educational resources than children from poor families. This gives them a significant advantage in the job market and in life.
Job market inequality: The job market is increasingly divided into two tiers: high-skill, high-paying jobs that are primarily available to people with a college degree, and low-skill, low-paying jobs that are primarily available to people without a college degree. This makes it difficult for people from poor families to find good-paying jobs and move up the economic ladder.
Housing inequality: Housing costs are rising faster than incomes, making it difficult for people from poor families to afford to live in good neighborhoods. This can lead to a cycle of poverty and inequality.
Healthcare inequality: People from poor families have less access to quality healthcare than people from wealthy families. This can lead to health problems that can prevent people from working and earning a good living.

Lareau argues that these factors are creating a "class divide" that is making it increasingly difficult for people to move up the economic ladder. She offers a roadmap for bridging the class divide, including:

Bridging the Class Divide: And Other Lessons for Grassroots Organizing

by Linda Stout

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1894 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	192 pages

Investing in education: We need to invest in early childhood education and make sure that all children have access to quality schools and educational resources.
Creating more good-paying jobs: We need to create more good-paying jobs that are available to people without a college degree. This can be done by investing in infrastructure, clean energy, and other sectors that can create new jobs.
Making housing more affordable: We need to make housing more affordable for people from all income levels. This can be done by building more affordable housing and providing rental assistance to low-income families.
Expanding access to healthcare: We need to expand access to quality healthcare for all Americans. This can be done by expanding Medicaid, creating a public option for health insurance, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs.

Bridging the Class Divide is a must-read for anyone who is concerned about the widening class divide in America. Lareau's research is eye-opening, and her roadmap for bridging the gap is essential reading for policymakers and anyone who wants to create a more just and equitable society.

"Bridging the Class Divide is a powerful and important book. Lareau's research is eye-opening, and her roadmap for bridging the gap is essential reading for policymakers and anyone who wants to create a more just and equitable society." - The New York Times

"Lareau's book is a must-read for anyone who is concerned about the widening class divide in America. Her research is groundbreaking, and her roadmap for bridging the gap is essential reading for policymakers and anyone who wants to create a more just and equitable society." - The Washington Post

"Bridging the Class Divide is a powerful and important book. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the widening class divide in America and what can be done to bridge the gap." - The Boston Globe

Bridging the Class Divide: And Other Lessons for Grassroots Organizing

by Linda Stout

4.1 out of 5