The money income of the wealthiest 5 percent of American families (and unrelated individuals) in 1947 was 19 percent of the national total; the richest 20 percent had 46 percent of income ; the lowest 20 percent had 3.5 percent. Studies of the mobility of individuals, however, reveal a vast amount of movement up (and down) the income scale.16 Millions of optimistic Americans, especially younger people, thought that they could get ahead.
