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meritocracy and poor kids

2017-07-30 00:38:32.250399+00 by Dan Lyke 2 comments

Why the Myth of Meritocracy Hurts Kids of Color: A new study finds that believing society is fair can lead disadvantaged adolescents to act out and engage in risky behavior.

The myth of meritocracy also sends privileged kids through their Libertarian phase...

[ related topics: Children and growing up Politics Libertarian Invention and Design Education ]

comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):

#Comment Re: meritocracy and poor kids made: 2017-07-31 16:25:51.519316+00 by: Larry Burton

Way too many commentaries on this come off as, "life is unfair so just give up." Yes, life is unfair and my white skin and blue eyes means that most of the obstacles in front of me are of my own making, not societies but giving up isn't an option. Strive hard because you may fail but if you don't you will fail.

The subdivision I live in is diverse and getting more diverse every day. The company I work for is diverse and getting more diverse every day. I know that most of my peers, both in my neighborhood and in my workplace have had to work much harder than me to get to where they are because of attitudes about race and class but their hard work got them to where they are. This article seems to be saying, give up, the deck is stacked against you. You will fail at everything you are doing.

I fully understand that we need to stop telling kids that life is fair and I support that but I can't support the "life is fair so give up" attitude this article seems to preach.

#Comment Re: meritocracy and poor kids made: 2017-08-02 16:28:51.358289+00 by: Dan Lyke

Yeah, the lies we tell ourselves are often useful, and finding the balance is difficult.

I think the answer lies in two directions:

  1. Teach that "fair" is a goal, but not the situation.
  2. Teach that, even if it gets different results, striving is still a virtue.

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