Lawrence Mead said, "If poor people behaved rationally, they would seldom be poor for long in the first place." I agree with Mead. And I also disagree with Mead. I think it depends on the situation. There were statements made in the film People Like Us for this argument and against it. For example, as stated in the film, more than half of lower class blacks have moved up to middle class in recent years. This proves Mead's quote correct in my eyes. However, also according to the film, there are many people who believe that someone remains in the same class for their entire life.
There was also a woman from the film who said that 'a lot of it has to do with being born in the right house'. I believe this very strongly. I also believe that it supports Mead's quote as well. If you were born in the 'right house' then you behave rationally by getting a steady job and moving up. If you weren't born in the 'right house' then you don't act rationally, thus staying poor.
Another person from the film said, "getting ahead is not the most important thing...the most important thing is staying where you are". Which of course you don't want to move down but moving up can still be your next most important thing...make sure you stay where you are first then worry about moving up later. Someone else from the film believes that the middle class of society strives for higher but the lower class does not. They just hope their children will do better. I agree with that if this is a movie, but I'm not so sure that's how it really is...might bring up in class...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU5MtVM_zFs
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