Why is Everyone like Their Parents?

Trevor McKendrick:

Why do many people end up in the same socioeconomic rung as their parents?

There's at least two reasons I can think of.

First, it's easier to do something when you've seen someone else do it.

People thought the human body could not run a mile in less than four minutes until Roger Bannister did it in 1954. Once he had shown it was possible, two months later two other runners did it in the same race.

It's the same with being raised by parents who got rich. You saw what they did, you know it can be done.

On the other hand, if you don't know anyone who has gone to college you might not know how that process works or even consider trying.

Being the first to do something is hard.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at December 7, 2012 3:50 AM
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