Portrait of the Underdog.

This article summarizes the data on socially and economically underprivileged Americans. This paper considers the disadvantages of low status, the restriction of "life chances" which low status carries with it. From this point of view, the tendency of different aspects of status to "cluster" together takes on the aspect of a vicious circle. Thus, the lack of financial reserves prevents people from taking advantage of the few opportunities for making more money which do present themselves; the people who need it least have friends who can lend them money in an emergency. Moreover, the economic restrictions, because of the accompanying lack of education and perhaps a certain adaptation to submission and failure, result in psychological restrictions which reinforce the economic. For example, those who need it least are under the most social pressure to keep themselves informed and to participate in community activities; not being able to go to college not only prevents a person from acquiring a college education but also makes it much less likely that he will use those educational opportunities which are available to him.