Hopes, dreams and aspirations are constructs that drive individuals and communities to be successful. Yet, the opposite of these, lack of hope, dreams and aspirations can drive an individual and community into a destruction of itself. A good example of this is in the book "Amazing Grace" by Jonathan Kozol. Furthermore, this discussion will also evolve around the ideas of Edward Banfield on "class distinction."The idea of the family has always been an important value in many civilizations if not all. No matter what factors relate to individuals, the family has always been viewed as the primary social structure of society. Inherited with in these family values comes morals and ethics that relate to communities. This idea has existed as far back as the Colonial times in American history. The colonial times were inevitably some of the most stable times of the family structure. This is almost a direct result of the value system back then. Back in the Colonial times, the family was the primary provider of such things as healthcare, education, religion and finance. The late 18th and early 19th century came, and the old colonial values are basically weakened and almost forgotten. The Victorian family came as a result of the changing times. The industrial revolution evolved, shaping society to what it is today. Enterprise was created and new ways of thinking were established. Individualism became a right exercised by individuals and many people expressed their individual right as a person. This change was initially good so far as it allowed our nation and other nations to expand economically as a whole and generated many more jobs and financial opportunities. The eventual bad effect of this was, this new change was stripping central roles that the family had been defined as for century's. Society was devaluing the family and weakening its networked functions to the effect of the deteriorating family of today. Nonetheless, the devaluing of the family structure led to a weakened value system as it was applied to the community and nation.Throughout history, there have always been class distinctions that possess specific characteristics. Even as far back as the beginning civilization there were class distinctions. You had the kings and nobles at the highest end and then you had the peasants and slaves at the lowest. Yet these times showed superb family values as a community in so far as even the slaves were taken care of fairly. Modern day, twentieth century class distinctions are fairly the same in that you have your upper class and lower class, yet a distinct difference emerges. Today, the overall level of difference between these classes is marginally greater than back in past times. Today, the lower class is not taken care of as it was in past times. Rather than being intertwined in society, the lower class in effect are segregated and secluded. But what are these driving forces which enable class distinctions to be defined? Is it based on income,...
