6/6 Bridging America’s Social Capital Divide - CONCLUSION
The social capital of strong and stable families translates into a better shot at realizing the American Dream. Consider, for instance, a finding noted above: four out of five children born into the bottom income quintile who were raised by married parents had risen out of the bottom quintile by adulthood. In contrast, those raised by a single parent had only a one-in-two chance of rising out of the bottom quintile. This is but one example of the power of stable marriages in sustaining the American Dream. As we consider the institutions that promote social capital within American society, the evidence is clear that family stability is a prized asset—for the benefits it confers upon children, adults, society, and the economy.
But there is a widening divide between the family experiences of elites (who generally get and stay married) and the working-class (who generally do not). The educated and affluent in our society are much more likely to anchor their lives on marriage. They privately enjoy (and pass on to their children) the social capital and financial benefits
of stable family life. Meanwhile, marriage is in retreat among working-class families— those headed by parents with no college degree and falling between the twentieth and fiftieth percentiles of income.98 For these families, the story of the past five decades has been one of increasing family disruption and disillusionment. This should be of concern to policy makers and opinion formers alike.
Two possible paths lie before America’s families. On one, the affluent continue to reap the vast benefits of marriage while the working class become increasingly isolated and alienated from this crucial social-capital-creating institution. The other is a future where all Americans, regardless of background, are empowered to build the strong families they aspire to create for their children. The policies outlined in this paper would help usher American children, adults, society, and the economy toward a more equal, flourishing future.
