Amy Wax’s Ideas on Family, Race, and Class: A Broader Conversation

Saturday, September 7, 2024.

Amy Wax’s ideas on family structure, middle-class values, and the intersection of race and class offer a strong critique of what she sees as the erosion of traditional values in American society.

Amy Wax is a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania known for her strong and often controversial opinions on topics like race, immigration, and culture.

She has sparked lively debates with her arguments about the importance of certain cultural values, but her views have also drawn criticism, with some accusing her of promoting divisive ideas.

Despite the controversy, she remains an active participant in public discussions, engaging in conversations that touch on complex and sensitive issues.

While her views spark much debate, it’s important to engage thoughtfully with her arguments and explore the broader research that has contributed to this conversation.

Scholars from various disciplines have examined the same themes Wax raises—family dynamics, cultural values, and economic mobility—but often arrive at different conclusions by considering structural inequalities alongside cultural explanations.

By looking at Wax’s ideas in, frankly, a more empathetic way, we can get a deeper understanding of how race and class shape family life and the paths to success in modern America.

Culture vs. Structure: A Deeper Exploration

Amy Wax’s work delves into the intersection of culture, policy, and societal outcomes, particularly in the context of race, education, and immigration. Here’s a deeper look at her key ideas and the underlying philosophies that shape her views:

Bourgeois Values and Social Success:

Wax argues that the decline in what she calls “bourgeois values”—which include delayed gratification, stable family structures, hard work, and self-discipline—has had a negative impact on society, especially in marginalized communities. She believes these values were once widely embraced in mid-20th-century America and were key to economic prosperity and social stability. Wax sees the erosion of these norms as contributing to the rise of crime, poverty, and family breakdown, particularly among the working class and minority groups.

She often points to the breakdown of the nuclear family, rising single-parent households, and the decline in educational achievement as evidence that moving away from these values has had damaging effects. To Wax, the solution lies in a cultural return to these principles, particularly in communities she believes have strayed from them.

Cultural Hierarchies and Race:

Wax has stirred significant controversy by suggesting that not all cultures are equally equipped to foster social and economic success. She argues that Western, particularly Anglo-Protestant, cultural norms—those aligned with her idea of bourgeois values—are superior in producing successful individuals and societies. This belief extends to her critique of multiculturalism and cultural relativism, which she feels have led to a reluctance in American society to evaluate the effectiveness of different cultural practices.

Her statements on race have been polarizing. Wax has argued that cultural deficits, rather than systemic racism, are more to blame for the struggles faced by African Americans and other minority groups. Her perspective challenges the mainstream view that structural inequities, such as discrimination and historical disadvantages, are central to these disparities. Critics argue that Wax's views oversimplify complex social issues and disregard the systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities.

Affirmative Action and Meritocracy:

Another major theme in Wax’s work is her critique of affirmative action policies. She argues that these policies, while well-meaning, create a mismatch between the academic preparedness of minority students and the institutions they are admitted to. In her view, placing students in environments for which they are not adequately prepared can lead to poor academic performance, higher dropout rates, and the reinforcement of racial stereotypes.

Wax advocates for a more meritocratic system, where admissions and hiring are based solely on performance and qualifications rather than racial or ethnic considerations. She suggests that affirmative action policies undermine fairness and perpetuate a kind of “soft bigotry” by lowering standards and fostering the perception that certain groups cannot succeed on their own merits.

Immigration and National Identity:

Wax is also critical of current immigration policies in the United States. She has argued that large-scale immigration, particularly from non-Western countries, has diluted the cultural norms that she believes are necessary for maintaining a stable, prosperous society. Wax suggests that many immigrants from non-Western cultures do not share or uphold the bourgeois values that she believes are vital to social success, leading to cultural fragmentation and social decline.

She has called for more selective immigration policies that prioritize folks who she believes are more likely to assimilate into American culture and contribute to its economic and social fabric. Critics, however, argue that her views promote xenophobia and nativism, ignoring the contributions that immigrants from diverse backgrounds have made to the country.

Provocative Approach and Intellectual Legacy:

Amy Wax’s style is unapologetically direct, and she frames her arguments in terms of hard data, cultural critique, and social outcomes. She sees herself as challenging what she perceives to be a dominant progressive orthodoxy that avoids uncomfortable conversations about race, culture, and success. Wax emphasizes that her goal is to spark honest debate, and she often references data and research to support her views, though many of her critics argue that she overlooks the broader social and historical contexts that contribute to inequality.

Her work has generated intense backlash, leading to protests and calls for her dismissal from her academic post. However, Wax remains a highly vocal and influential figure in the broader intellectual debate on race, culture, and meritocracy, drawing both support and condemnation for her willingness to confront contentious issues.

Amy Wax’s major ideas revolve around the belief that the erosion of traditional values, misguided social policies, and the failure to engage in honest cultural critique are at the heart of America’s social problems.

While she frames her arguments in terms of preserving societal success and promoting fairness, her views have been heavily criticized as racially insensitive and overly simplistic. Here are a few thought leaders who see her ideas quite differently:

William Julius Wilson – Economic Opportunity and Family Life

In his influential book, The Truly Disadvantaged (1987), sociologist William Julius Wilson argues that the economic transformations of the late 20th century, such as the decline of stable, well-paying jobs in urban areas, played a much bigger role in the breakdown of family structures than changes in cultural values.

According to Wilson, factors like deindustrialization, job loss, and economic disinvestment hit African American and working-class communities particularly hard, leading to higher rates of single-parent households and family instability.

Wilson’s work suggests that rather than a cultural shift away from traditional family values, the economic realities faced by lower-income families have made it increasingly difficult to maintain those values. His research highlights the importance of addressing structural issues—such as access to stable jobs and economic security—in supporting strong family life.

Robert Putnam – Social Capital and Class Divides

In Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis (2015), Robert Putnam explores the growing class divide in American families. While Wax highlights cultural differences, Putnam focuses on the role of social capital—the networks of support that help folks and families succeed. He finds that wealthier families have more access to resources like good schools, extracurricular activities, and stable social networks, all of which contribute to better outcomes for their children. In contrast, lower-income families often lack these supports, making it harder to provide the same opportunities for their children.

Putnam’s work aligns with the idea that community resources and support systems play a major role in shaping family outcomes. Rather than solely focusing on cultural values, Putnam emphasizes the need to rebuild the social infrastructure in disadvantaged communities to foster opportunity and stability.

The Impact of Racism and Discrimination

Amy Wax’s arguments about race and family structure, particularly her suggestion that African American and Latino communities have moved away from middle-class values, have been highly controversial. Wax attributes much of the economic and social challenges in these communities to cultural decline, but many researchers have pointed to systemic racism and structural discrimination as more significant factors.

Michelle Alexander – The Role of Mass Incarceration

In The New Jim Crow (2010), legal scholar Michelle Alexander examines how mass incarceration has devastated African American families.

Alexander argues that the War on Drugs and racially biased policies have disproportionately targeted Black men, leading to high incarceration rates and, subsequently, high rates of single-parent households. She explains that this cycle of incarceration has destabilized family life and contributed to economic challenges in African American communities.

Alexander’s research offers a direct challenge to Wax’s cultural critique, emphasizing the systemic forces that have contributed to family instability. She argues that the criminal justice system’s impact on African American families must be addressed to improve social and economic outcomes.

Douglas Massey and Nancy Denton – Segregation’s Lasting Effects

In American Apartheid (1993), sociologists Douglas Massey and Nancy Denton explore how racial segregation and housing policies have contributed to concentrated poverty in African American communities.

Their research shows that discriminatory practices like redlining and exclusionary zoning have trapped African American families in under-resourced neighborhoods, where access to good jobs, schools, and public services is limited. This geographic isolation, they argue, has played a significant role in the economic and social challenges faced by these communities.

Massey and Denton’s work suggests that the structural barriers created by discriminatory housing and economic policies are key drivers of inequality, more so than cultural factors alone. By focusing on structural reforms, they argue, society can begin to address the root causes of family instability and economic disparities.

Class Divides and Family Structure

In addition to race, class divides play a critical role in shaping family life. Amy Wax argues that the middle and upper classes have retained traditional family values while lower-income families have moved away from them. But research shows that economic conditions—rather than just cultural choices—are a major factor in the growing divide in family outcomes.

Kathryn Edin and Maria Kefalas – Choices in Low-Income Communities

Sociologists Kathryn Edin and Maria Kefalas explore the choices that low-income women make around marriage and parenthood in Promises I Can Keep (2005).

Through their research, they find that many poor women value marriage but see it as unattainable due to economic instability. Instead, they choose to become mothers outside of marriage because parenthood provides them with a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Edin and Kefalas argue that these choices are rational responses to the economic realities faced by low-income women, rather than a rejection of middle-class values. Their work adds important nuance to the conversation by showing that cultural decisions about family life are deeply influenced by economic circumstances.

Andrew Cherlin – The Marriage Divide

In The Marriage-Go-Round (2009), sociologist Andrew Cherlin examines the growing marriage divide between the upper and lower classes.

Cherlin finds that while marriage remains strong among wealthier, educated families, it has become increasingly fragile among working-class and poor families. He attributes this divide to economic factors, noting that job insecurity and low wages make it harder for lower-income couples to sustain stable marriages.

Cherlin’s work suggests that Wax’s focus on cultural differences between classes sort of oversimplifies the issue. Instead, he highlights the importance of economic security in maintaining stable family structures, showing that class-based disparities in family life are driven largely by financial factors.

Final thoughts

Amy Wax’s ideas about the decline of traditional family values and the cultural differences between racial and class groups raise important questions about how we understand family life and success in America.

However, research from scholars like William Julius Wilson, Michelle Alexander, and Kathryn Edin offers a broader perspective that considers both structural barriers and cultural values in shaping family outcomes.

By looking at the interplay between economic opportunity, social capital, systemic racism, and cultural choices, we can better understand the challenges faced by different communities and work toward solutions that support stronger families for everyone.

Whether addressing economic inequality, racial discrimination, or the need for better social support systems, in my opinion, the research shows that improving family outcomes requires an empathetic approach that takes into account both cultural and structural factors.

Be Well Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

Alexander, M. (2010). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. The New Press.

Cherlin, A. (2009). The marriage-go-round: The state of marriage and the family in America today. Vintage.

Edin, K., & Kefalas, M. (2005). Promises I can keep: Why poor women put motherhood before marriage. University of California Press.

Massey, D. S., & Denton, N. A. (1993). American apartheid: Segregation and the making of the underclass. Harvard University Press.

Putnam, R. D. (2015). Our kids: The American dream in crisis. Simon & Schuster.

Wilson, W. J. (1987). The truly disadvantaged: The inner city, the underclass, and public policy. University of Chicago Press.