Critique on June 8th Reading: Class Matters Ch. 6

Chapter 6 of Class Matters describes the case of Andy Blevins as one of many Americans who fear the lack of college education will backfire in the years to come. Although this specific case was discussed, Leonhardt also narrates the widening gap of working-class and poor students not attending higher education. Since Leonhardt states “college education matters much more now than it once did” (90), how is education really contributing to mobility since shortly after he states “economic mobility…has stopped rising?” (90). A possible answer to my own question is the changes in the market affect those with or without education. For example, the current economic recession has affected not only working class families but those who had a stable and profitable job, thus; middle and upper class families.

Shortly after, Leonhardt explains the various barriers low-income students are confronted in regards to college. Although he describes the barriers, Casteen is correct in stating that both high schools’ inability to prepare teenagers and the high tuition of college are ‘artificial barriers’ (93). I especially believe the high cost of college should not be used as reason not to attend college. If students have the motivation to attend a college, there are always resources, like scholarships, that can help with the cost of tuition. There are barriers which make it difficult to complete higher education, but those barriers should not be used to justify ones decision.

Lastly, I disagree with this claim made by the author: “more spots for low-income applicants might also mean fewer for the children of alumni, who make up for the fundraising base for the university” (102). This insinuates that admitting children of alumni will ultimately be more beneficial to the university since it will provide financial support. I believe that alumni connection is important but should not be used to determine applicants admission simply based on the relationship.