When the American Dream Was Still in Reach

Our Kids

Is America still a meritocracy? Harvard political scientist Robert D. Putnam argues that it is not, and that children born to less educated, less wealthy, less connected parents have fewer opportunities than ever to better their circumstances. Putnam visits Zócalo to discuss whether poor children can still achieve the American dream. Below is an excerpt from his book Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis.

My hometown was, in the 1950s, a passable embodiment of the American dream, a place that offered decent opportunity for all the kids in town, whatever …

by Robert D. Putnam | April 19, 2015

If You Don’t Give Your Kids Shots, At Least Give Me Your Address

California Might Not Stop Parents from Opting Out of Vaccinations, But Everyone Should Know Who They Are

by Joe Mathews | February 11, 2015

Shouldn’t we know where they live?

California’s measles outbreak has touched off a debate about how to reduce the number of parents who choose—in defiance of all credible public health information—not …

The Science Behind Your Kid’s ‘Frozen’ Obsession

Psychologists Explain Why Disney Struck Billion-Dollar Gold with Elsa and ‘Let It Go’

by Maryam Kia-Keating and Yalda T. Uhls | January 8, 2015

When the animated film Frozen was released in 2014, no one expected it to become a worldwide juggernaut. Frozen, which earned more than $1.2 billion at the box office, is …

I Can’t Cure Your Child’s Obesity

Growing Up, I Imagined a Magical Solution to My Weight Issues. There Isn’t One, But My Clinic Is Finding Ways to Help Families of Overweight Kids.

by Leticia Ibarra | December 4, 2014

Of the 10 children in my family, I was the only one who was obese. I didn’t know it at the time, but my family mirrored obesity trends in Holtville, …

Are American Children Better Off Today Than They Were in 1989?

The Convention on the Rights of the Child Is the World’s Most Widely Adopted Human Rights Treaty. But 25 Years After Its Passage, the U.S. Still Won't Ratify It.

by Jody Heymann | November 28, 2014

In 1989, as a new mom and a new doctor, I spent my days tending to young patients as a pediatrician in training, and my nights caring for my own …

Your Edgy Billboard Is My Kid’s Nightmare

What Rights Do We Have to Shield Ourselves from Offensive Outdoor Advertising?

by Anoosh Jorjorian | July 31, 2014

“Mommy?” I look in the rearview mirror at my 6-year-old daughter. Her brow is furrowed and her mouth turned down as she stares at something out the window. “I don’t …

Get More Zócalo