Social stratification exists in every society. It is human nature to classify everything from rocks to humans. The unfortunate side effect of classifying people according to income is that we stereotype low class people as being of low worth. The high class people gain a sense of being better than everyone else.
             Children who are born into wealthy families are more likely than children born into poverty to enjoy good health, achieve academically, succeed in their life's work and live a long life. But dos this mean they are genetically superior, smarter and harder workers than poor children? No, wealthier children are just fortunate enough to have the resources: better health care, good schooling, etc. It is comparable to the high class people on board the Titanic who had the opportunity to get on life boats first. They were not smarter, better swimmers, or harder workers than second or third class passengers, but they were fortunate enough to have the money to buy a ticket for first class accommodations.
             Education is at least the second most important factor in determining upward mobility in society. It is the key to securing scarce life chances. The occupation and educational level of one's parents is the best predicator of one's educational goals and social mobility. Access to quality education differs by social classes. Many first class people inherit their riches, and receive greater educational opportunities. However, our social system supports a wide variety of mechanisms to encourage educational attainment including mandatory school attendance and low cost loans and grants for college students, thus giving everyone a chance to be educated. The landmark Coleman Study (1966) found that the single most important factor in determining educational attainment is the family environment. In our United States society, rich people control most of the money, receive the best
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