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Pew Economic Mobility Project’s Erin Currier on the factors that drive a person’s economic mobility in America.
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Second I think -- center 84% of Americans have higher family incomes and their parents did that's great.
But those born at the top and bottom of the income ladder are likely to stay there as adults so is the American dream turning out to be nothing but a fantasy joining me now.
Karen -- project manager of -- economic mobility project.
Thank you for coming nine you know aren't richer -- the American dream is dead at 80% of all.
Make more than their parents did on inflation adjusted basis that's good.
-- exactly.
Grade this report shows a mixed view of opportunity in America.
On the one hand we see that the vast majority of Americans have higher family incomes -- their parents did.
And that's true across the income distribution.
But by I had another measure we see that Americans who starred in the top and the bottom.
Are still likely -- -- in the top and bottom and why is that is that because of educational opportunity -- what was the main reason did you bank.
There's a host of drivers that impact to person's economic mobility.
Post secondary education is definitely a powerful driver it helps move people up from the bottom and prevents them from filing.
Personal savings and neighborhood poverty -- childhood are also strong indicators.
Keep the American dream it's you can do anything you want if you're willing to work hard if you're willing to work your -- -- if you have drive in ambition.
And you get out there did you measure that at all because American dream.
Isn't a promise up an outcome it's opportunity if you go get it.
-- -- Has conducted two public opinion polls one in 2009 and one just last year.
And we found in both -- Americans believe strongly that hard working ambition and the key drivers of economic mobility.
That personal responsibility really matters.
We see from -- stayed at that in terms that equality of opportunity though.
That's not always happening why I and we what is it -- how can you measure that they are getting the opportunity.
Well when we look at people's absolute mobility change over time so looking at how much more income they have -- their parents it's clear that there's been brought economic growth over the last generation.
-- that growth has been distributed across the income distribution.
In fact the people who started the bottom are the most likely takes -- their parents family incomes -- but they don't necessarily exceed -- large degree.
And so that increase income my champion NAFTA actually moves them out of the bottom okay -- What's to come back when you can measure working your but office that's what I wanna hear about -- expert joining -- and only half kidding with that but thank you -- -- -- we appreciate.
