Why read Coming of Age in the Other America?

Book cover of Coming of Age in the Other America

Book description

Recent research on inequality and poverty has shown that those born into low-income families, especially African Americans, still have difficulty entering the middle class, in part because of the disadvantages they experience living in more dangerous neighborhoods, going to inferior public schools, and persistent racial inequality. Coming of Age in…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Coming of Age in the Other America as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

George Farkas

Author

This book, by three sociologists, examines the life chances of children from low-income families living in public housing in Baltimore.

It builds on prior research by both economists and sociologists, and has both a quantitative and an intense qualitative aspect from in-depth interviews. The authors seem to have discovered a mechanism that can help these children succeed. It is to have an “identity project” that gives meaning and goals to their lives.

From George's list on understanding American poverty and inequality.