The United States, Land of Opportunity

Opportunity is defined as a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success. Through the centuries, the U.S. has been known as the land of opportunity. This saying is untrue because it is not specific enough. America is the land of opportunity for people who are born into already well-off families. This is evident while looking at two types of opportunity. People from well-off families are usually presented with opportunities for success. On the other hand, people who are not very well-off usually have to seek out opportunities, which requires much more effort and often turn out unsuccessful.
A person born into a wealthy family is readily presented with opportunities. These opportunities consist of education, technology, college degree, leisure time, and occupational opportunities. Through their parents, this person also has the luxury of pursuing a career without the pressure of immediate success. There is not an overwhelming pressure to succeed because their parents are able to support them financially. America is certainly the Land of Opportunity for people who are born privileged.
America is not the land of opportunity for a poor immigrant new to the country, or someone born into a poor family. These people do not have a solid financial background, and therefore have a great amount of pressure to succeed in their every endeavor. They usually only have access to public schools, community college, or no college. It is hard to focus on high school work because teenagers may have to work to help support the family. Without showing great academic success and potential coming out of high school, these teenagers will only be able to go to community college. The only other option is to go right into work that does not pay well. If they do not succeed, or make money off of what they are doing, they arrive at an even more pressured situation. It is here that the vicious cycle of minimal opportunity begins again.