The end of Clarendon Heights

This book has opened my eyes to many perspectives on social mobility within social classes. At the beginning of this book, I found myself rooting for the Brothers and disliking the Hallway Hangers. Towards the middle of the book, I found myself rooting for both group of boys. I was hoping that towards the end of the book all of them would have found the "right path" and be living these lives of middle class income, white picket fences, and out of the ghetto. That is not necessarily the case. Only a select few got out of the ghetto and have done things with their lives. Some of the boys have moved out of Clarendon Heights. Others are still on drugs, selling drugs, or in jail. Others have child support that they have to pay, and others are still living in Clarendon Heights.

I then posed a question to myself. Do I think that these boys have reached a point in their lives where they are now socially successful? In the middle of the book, I may have said yes. Now I say maybe not. However, I do feel that these boys have been through alot and have over come a lot of struggle to get to where they were two years ago. As for some of the boys, they have reached a low point. I hope that they are now on their way to a high point and able to make a life for themselves and their children. These boys were interesting to read. They gave a totally new perspective on stereotypes, and really made a point of saying that your environment and surroundings help you mold you for your future.