Editorial Analysis: How Privileged Prevent Other's Children Growth

This essay provides an analysis of an article discussing the widening socio-cultural differences in America, specifically focusing on how the privileges of the upper class create stratification in society, even among children. The essay highlights how growing capitalism exacerbates income inequality, limiting opportunities for the middle class. It evaluates the author's use of ethos, pathos, and logos to present a compelling argument about the challenges faced by middle-class Americans. The essay includes a letter to the editor, responding to the article's points and offering a nuanced perspective on scholarships. This resource is available on Desklib, a platform offering a wide range of academic materials and study tools for students.

Running head EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL
Name of student
Name of university
Author note

1EDITORIAL
Summary
(link to the article: http://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/how-the-privileged-
prevent-other-peoples-children-from-doing-well )
The article by David Brooks studies the widening socio-cultural differences in
America, and how the privileges are creating stratification in the society, even among the
children. The author shows how with the growing capitalism the rich are getting more
privileges and the middle classes are being pushed into the social gap that keeps them behind
the upper classes. The education system has become such that the elite colleges are filled with
students from upper strata and the middle classes have no good places to go. Even the zonal
restrictions are acting as a serious impediment to the path to the success. This not only
hinders the growth but it also adds to widening social inequality
Thesis statement Privileges of the upper class is posing a threat for the middle class in
the American society.
In regards to ethos, that appeal to the audience credibility, the author chooses a topic
that is extremely realistic to a large mass of people and is unbiased and trustworthy in his
judgments. He comes across as a credible author by putting up a real picture of the income
inequality that lies in the American society even to this date.
In regards to pathos that appeals to the sentiments of the reader, the author draws a
picture of the income inequality of the society that lies in various places from schools to
colleges to residential areas. It appeals to large section of the middle class who go through
this misery in their daily life. After reading the article, the readers can feel the tormenting
experiences a middle class American has to go through.

2EDITORIAL
In regards to logos, which appeal to the logic the readers, the article seems to be a
rational and logical piece, which takes the readers into the realistic situations of the American
society.
Letter to editor
Dear David Brooks,
In response to your article titled “how the privileged prevent other people’s children from
doing well”, I am writing this letter to you. Your article takes the readers deeply into the
growing problem of social inequality that is tormenting many societies and countries of the
world today. With the growing capitalism, the gap between the have and have not is widening
day by day. Right from academic institutions to our residential places, everything in our
society today is distinctly marked. There runs an invisible line between the classes, which a
middle class cannot aspire to cross. Despite globalization and modernity that invisible gap is
growing every day. In your article, you have talked about all the aspects where the
differences are more prominent. From schools and colleges to residential areas to restaurants
to the benefits an upper middle class mother enjoys over a school-educated mother. As the
middle classes fall back more and more, the upper classes rise up higher. You have pointed
out very correctly that there is no harm in trying to forward your own child’s security first but
the problem lies in the part when the efforts of the privileged parents ironically hinder the
growth of the middle classes. However, the fact you have said about scholarships I cannot
agree because many colleges genuinely think of the wellbeing of the poor but needy students
and thus scholarships are granted to give them a career boost.
Yours sincerely,
Reader.

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References
Dorling, D., & Dorling, D. (2015). Injustice (revised edition): Why social inequality still
persists. Policy Press.
How the privileged prevent other people's children from doing well. (2018). The Straits
Times. Retrieved 6 February 2018, from http://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-
states/how-the-privileged-prevent-other-peoples-children-from-doing-well
Hurst, C. E., Gibbon, H. M. F., & Nurse, A. M. (2016). Social inequality: Forms, causes, and
consequences. Routledge.
Reardon, S. F. (2013). The widening income achievement gap. Educational
Leadership, 70(8), 10-16.