Few Men Are Created Equal

This past week, an article in the Economist, entitled "America's New Aristocracy", explained just that, what might be America's educational aristocracy. And although American ideals are strongly against inherited privileges (at least in theory), this aristocracy seem quite real. Certain children's educations are very different than others because of class differences, however, it may not simply be because of the educational advantages of more money. Children of wealthier parents may be gaining an advantage because of their parents brains.

The process begins before the children are even born. The article claims that "far more than in previous generations" smart and successful people are marrying other smart and successful people, resulting in a trend called "assortative mating" which leads to "bright children" and "stable homes". But this natural aptitude for intelligence is simply the foundation.

The intriguing claim is that the wealthier parents are creating a better environment for their children's brains to develop completely for free. According to the article, "children of professionals hear 32m more words by the age of four than those of parents on welfare". And keep in mind that over a third of the population was on welfare as of 2012. Therefore, regardless of which families have the money to afford neighborhoods with better schools, or expensive tutors, children of upper middle to upper class families generally live in an environment where their young, malleable brains are much more stimulated.

This difference between classes is unique. Nobody can say that this gives wealthier children an unfair academic advantage because, unlike with money, parents across all class levels have the ability to speak with their children. Though some busy parents may not have enough time to see their children, that issue is not specific to class. McDonald's store managers, surgeons, and businessmen alike all have to work late hours occasionally. Wealthy children should not be limited, as some argue they should with access to test prep, because that would only lower the typical student's ability. Instead, underpriveleged or struggling children should be aided. 

Encouraging and educating working class parents of the importance of brain stimulation for growing children could be essential. And if the problem cannot be partially corrected in the early home, then at the least, public schools should receive equal funding from state taxes. When underprivileged children are already starting behind, the playing field should at least be leveled in the public school system. Otherwise, only a portion of the population, the educational aristocracy, will continue to dominate college admissions. And eventually fair paying jobs. And at that point the cycle of the educational aristocracy with begin again.