Contrast Steve’s life course with that of James, a Black male from Chicago’s South Side. James was raised by a single mother, who generally depended on welfare payments to put food on the table. James actually liked the structure of school but felt pressure to contribute income to the family, so he dropped out of high school to work as an inventory clerk in a warehouse, for little more than minimum wage. When the warehouse closed he bounced around from job to job, with long periods of unemployment. Health problems also sideline him. James was never able to save money or to buy a home or an apartment; he felt lucky just to make the rent each month. He never worked anyplace long enough to earn a pension. In his old age James must make do with whatever Social Security income he is entitled to.