Which statistic on wealth inequality in the US (discussed on p. 29) made the biggest impression on you? Explain why?
What could be some of the implications of living in a society that has such huge wealth inequalities? Do you see this dynamic getting played out in everyday life in our society? How so? Example?
The statistic that made the biggest impression on me was that 90% of American families have little to no assets. This figure is striking because it emphasizes the reality that a vast majority of people are living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to meet basic needs. It shows the financial instability that many face, trapped in a cycle of poverty and unable to save or invest for the future.
Living in a society with big wealth gaps can make it tough for people to move up economically. Opportunities, like good schools or healthcare, are usually available only to the wealthy. You can see this in the neighborhoods around us. Rich areas have way better resources, while poorer communities struggle to get what they need. Also, education shows this inequality, as wealthy families can put their kids in private schools with better resources, while kids in lower-income areas often go to underfunded public schools.
