Although the passage argues that students are responsible for mediocrity, a deeper analysis is needed. If all things are equal, children are a reflection of their parents, so if they were taught to get by, the child would not have the motivation to move beyond the already lacking education system. Therefore by the time the student reaches high school his ways are deeply etched into his character making visible change difficult. Sooner or later they watch their peers get by doing minimal intellectual work and getting the most out of other activities. After all, the student does not understand that the minimum wage pays for a couple of things, but does not provide for the family. While they may see the other kids getting by with the least amount of work and may want to join them; their character discourages them from following. But any weak link in his work ethic will cause the student to give up and follow the crowd. As a result, when new students arrive, they will now witness his laziness and follow his example. An example is when a young man is trying to get fit and if people who have the opposite mentality surround him constantly, then he will also give up and not complete his