Chunk #2 Precis: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

In the second chunk of Malcolm Gladwell's non-fiction text, "Outliers," he continues to examine the reason behind why some people are geniuses and end up being more successful than their peers. Gladwell explains these outliers successions through statistics, he used the study done by Annette Lareau. Lareau observed the everyday lifestyles of 12 third graders and their families from different ethnicity's, and economic backgrounds. It was noticed the children from middle-class and high-class families were greatly supported in their schooling and their extra-curricular activities than the children from the low-class families. Children from the wealthier families were taught how to speak up for themselves and realize they don't have to be mute just because they're in the presence of someone in high authority. The children from wealthier classes also had parents that were involved in their education, these parents took the initiative to make sure their child received the attention they needed in order to a success. For example a young girl didn't pass a test to be admitted into the gifted program so her mother talked to the teacher and other administrators and was able to get her daughter a retake in private; the girl passed the exam. Gladwell pointed out that some people are born with the gift of intelligence with the potential of being a genius, but a big role in allowing that person to be a big success is his/her culture in which he/she was brought up. Those with parents that were involved in their lives and were taught how to speak up for themselves tend to be the most successful ones, the outliers that could make a name for themselves.

Clarification Question: How can the environment or culture a child is born into determine whether he/she will be successful or not?

Application Question: Would you be involved in your child's education and interests or will you leave it up to your child's teachers/coaches/instructors because it's on their time (their time their problem)?