44 pages • 1 hour read
Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis
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Book Brief
400
Book • Nonfiction
United States • 2010s
2015
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Our Kids, Robert D. Putnam examines the diminishing attainability of the American Dream for today's youth, contrasting current opportunities with those of previous generations. He explores factors influencing upward mobility, especially disparities in education, family dynamics, and community resources, proposing various solutions to reduce the widening opportunity gap. Topics of incarceration and economic disparities are discussed.
Informative
Contemplative
Challenging
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
5,088 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
In Our Kids, Robert D. Putnam explores the growing class-based opportunity gap in America. Critics praise the book for its compelling personal stories and rigorous social science research, offering an insightful analysis of systemic inequality. However, some reviewers feel the solutions proposed are overly idealistic and lack practical implementation strategies.
Who Should Read Our Kids?
Readers who appreciate Our Kids by Robert D. Putnam are typically interested in social inequality, public policy, and community dynamics. Fans of Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers and Charles Murray's Coming Apart will find this book compelling for its data-driven insights and narrative style.
5,088 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
400
Book • Nonfiction
United States • 2010s
2015
Adult
18+ years
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