Report on Socioeconomic Mobility and the American Class System

Introduction

This report presents an overview of a featured episode from the series “What class are you?” produced by Vermont Public. The series examines the dynamics of everyday life within the American class system, highlighting issues related to socioeconomic status and mobility. The discussion aligns closely with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Case Study: Dan Sedon’s Journey

Dan Sedon’s life story exemplifies the challenges and opportunities within the American socioeconomic landscape. Raised in Barnegat, New Jersey, in a household abundant with books but limited in financial resources, Dan’s early experiences reflect the realities faced by many underprivileged communities.

1. Early Economic Activities: As a child, Dan and his peers engaged in various informal jobs such as lawn mowing, car washing, and selling clams, demonstrating early entrepreneurial spirit and the necessity of income generation in low-resource settings.
2. Educational Attainment: Dan secured a full scholarship to college and subsequently financed his own law school education. This achievement underscores the critical role of accessible quality education (SDG 4) in enabling upward social mobility.
3. Professional Career: Since 1993, Dan has served as a criminal defense attorney in Vermont, working with clients across the socioeconomic spectrum. His work highlights the intersection of social justice and legal advocacy, contributing to efforts aimed at reducing inequalities (SDG 10).

Relevance to Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 1 – No Poverty: Dan’s background and career trajectory illustrate pathways out of poverty through education and employment.
• SDG 4 – Quality Education: The scholarship and self-funded education emphasize the importance of equitable access to education as a tool for social advancement.
• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Dan’s legal work with diverse socioeconomic groups reflects ongoing efforts to address systemic inequalities within society.

Additional Resources

• Listeners can access new installments of “What class are you?” during Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
• The full series is available online at Vermont Public’s website.
• Further information about the podcast “Rumble Strip,” produced by Erica Heilman and distributed by Vermont Public, can be found here.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses economic challenges faced by individuals growing up with limited financial resources and working various jobs to support themselves.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education – Dan Sedon’s journey through receiving a full scholarship to college and attending law school highlights the importance of accessible and quality education.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article touches on social class disparities and the interaction between people of different economic backgrounds.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – Dan Sedon’s work as a criminal defense attorney relates to access to justice and legal representation for all social classes.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 1 – No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
2. SDG 4 – Quality Education
   • Target 4.3: Ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.
3. SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
4. SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. For SDG 1 (No Poverty)
   • Proportion of population living below the national poverty line (implied by the discussion of economic hardship).
2. For SDG 4 (Quality Education)
   • Gross enrollment ratio in tertiary education (implied by Dan Sedon’s scholarship and college attendance).
   • Number of scholarships or financial aid awarded (implied by full scholarship mention).
3. For SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
   • Measures of income inequality such as the Gini coefficient (implied by discussion of class differences).
   • Social inclusion indices (implied by interactions across social classes).
4. For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)
   • Proportion of population with access to legal representation (implied by Dan Sedon’s role as a criminal defense attorney).
   • Number of legal aid cases handled for marginalized groups.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: vermontpublic.org