In America, the common belief is that those born with nothing can work hard to achieve something, when this is clearly not the case. People accept meager wages and conditions with the idea that they are simply a stepping stone to better things. What makes some people see their disadvantages as positives? The newspaper “The Economist” believes that the success of minority figures like Obama defines a high degree of social mobility in American culture. Many are not improving upon their parents' position, and few maintain it except by falling below it. There are several factors, including income inequality, family background and lack of mobility opportunities, that contribute to this decline. What are the disadvantages we will suffer as Americans, you ask? I will describe the trends and evidence supporting the decline and future effects as it continues. The apparent decline in social mobility runs counter to what most Americans believe to be the “Land of Opportunity.” As much as we would like to believe that everyone has the same opportunity to progress, this is simply not true. The stories tell of people who have far surpassed what any normal person could realistically hope to achieve, something far beyond their means. While it is certainly possible for someone to rise above their social class, it's simply more complicated than winning the lottery or a stroke of luck. Wealth and education are both important factors in determining a person's ability to move up or down the latter class, with some aspects of family background and disadvantage. This also applies to an individual's opportunity to attend college due to his or her social circumstances and financial responsibilities. According to the "National Center for Education Statistics", Sixty-six per... middle of the paper... he the government and other power figures are responsible; the average cost of college tuition, room and board has quadrupled since 1977 to an average of $10,315 according to “Commondreams.org,” which is terribly unnecessary. Americans must learn to be aware of these inequalities and not settle for the low end, only then can we believe in the American dream. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2007-08 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study ( NPSAS:08). (Prepared August 2009.) SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2009). National Postsecondary Student Aid Study 2007-2008 (NPSAS:08) Student Financial Aid Estimates for 2007-2008, Table 1-4 Education Compensation. (2011, May). In the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved October 27, 2011, from http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm