Overview
Income inequality is considered a major issue in the United States. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders claims that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. But is this true? While the rich have gotten much wealthier over the past four decades, the poor have also gotten richer. Poverty is dropping, and standards of living have improved for all income levels. Income inequality does exist, but is it a problem that needs a solution?

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Grade level and subjects
• Recommended for grades 6-12
• Subjects: Economics and Personal Finance
• Works in Classroom, Hybrid, and Homeschool settings

What students will learn
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• explain the concept of income inequality;
• explain the concept of economic mobility;
• discuss income inequality in the United States; and
• compare the actual results of income inequality with the appearance of income inequality.

Key concepts and terms covered
Income inequality, Zero sum game, and Economic mobility.

Sample discussion questions
• The phrase “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer” implies that the economy is a zero-sum game. Is it? Do the rich only get rich at the expense of others?
• According to the video, while poor Americans have gotten 32 percent richer over the past forty years, rich Americans have gotten 200 percent richer. Is this a problem? Why / Why not?
• What is the difference between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome? Is it possible to have equality of outcome in a free society? Why / Why not? Given the choice between freedom and equality, which would you choose? Why?
• John Stossel says, “We’re all so different in so many ways.” How does this relate to income inequality?
• What examples of income inequality have you encountered in your own life?

What’s in the free teacher’s guide
This printable 7-page Teacher's Guide includes a lesson description, learning objectives, key vocabulary, a fill-in viewing guide with answer key, discussion and analysis questions, and classroom activities.

Standards alignment
Aligned to state standards — use the SITC Standards Tool to match this video to the standards in your state.