Preface to the 2014 Index of Culture and Opportunity
by Jim DeMint
It is significant that this Index focuses on both culture and opportunity. I learned early on, from personal experience, that these two notions are intertwined. My two brothers, my sister, and I were reared by our single mom with a work ethic that shaped who I am today.
We struggled economically but my mother provided a model that showed us the importance of work and personal responsibility. To sustain our family, she started a ballroom dancing business in our home. She worked all the time, but also expected us to do our share. So each morning, we would get up at 6:00 a.m. to find our personal list of duties for the day. Passing the time without doing something constructive was not an option.
While we each pulled our weight, the more we did, the more we felt we could do and the more confidence we gained. Growing up in Greenville, South Carolina, a small textile town, strengthened that feeling. There was a general understanding that each person was important and could make a difference in the lives of others.
My story, and similar stories shared by so many Americans, reveals a fundamental truth about our nation: The presence of opportunities may influence an individual’s prospects for the future, but the culture of a family or community affects the extent to which the individual takes advantage of those opportunities.
This Index presents an at-a-glance view of cultural trends in America such as marriage rate, religious participation, and community involvement. These trends are presented alongside data regarding poverty, dependence, workforce participation, and educational and employment opportunities.
While data do not equate with destiny, and each individual makes choices and decisions that impact the course of his or her own life, examining the aggregate trends in each of these arenas can reveal some insight into the general direction in which our nation is moving.
From my earliest experiences in life, I learned that circumstances today do not determine how the future will unfold — we can build a better life for ourselves. That is why we have produced the 2014 Index of Culture and Opportunity — to show where we are now as a nation and to strengthen our resolve to get America back on track.
— Jim DeMint is President of The Heritage Foundation and author of Falling in Love with America Again.
Next Up in the Index:
2014 Index of Culture and Opportunity
Culture | Poverty & Dependence | Opportunity
Preface | Introducing the Index of Culture and Opportunity | Overview of 2014 Index | The Blessings of Liberty
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