The Paradox of Escaping Poverty

That's not my title concerning the absolute roadblocks that those living in poverty face. It comes from a well researched article from Sundays Chicago Tribune. In essence, as if we needed someone to tell us this, the piece states that as the gap widens between the rich and poor, it becomes harder to move into even the lowest rungs of the middle class.

Tankersley's story puts holes in the argument that one can escape poverty by getting a college education.

As those in the middle strive to move forward they do so largely because they obtain a college education. When one lives in poverty there are many challenges just to get through high school let alone college. Since college is the 'ticket' and a college education gets more expensive then those in poverty, who can't afford to pay those high tuition fees, are left behind.

So the opportunities for those living in poverty to move forward is further complicated, beyond obstacles already embedded because of effects of poverty, because these good people lack the means to pay for a university education. In fact, a poor person, who could well be fairly bright, may have no chance to realize the 'American Dream' through no fault of their own. What a shame.

Dick