A cornerstone of our national image in the United States is that our country is a land of opportunity–one in which a child from the humblest circumstances can grow up to be rich, famous, and revered. This may have once been true, but it’s a myth today. The United States ranks 26th in the world on measures of social mobility, just behind Lithuania.
The countries that outrank us include most Western European nations, Japan, Canada, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, and South Korea. Most of those countries have stronger safety nets than the United States: It’s those nets, rather than individualism, that provide the education, healthcare, and other supports that are essential for social mobility.
Social mobility doesn’t just benefit individuals; it benefits the society. If we want talented, ambitious children to achieve their dreams, we need to provide the supports that nurture their goals.
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