Questions: The American Dream legitimizes social stratification by reinforcing the idea that everyone has the same chance to succeed, and success or failure is completely determined by the individual person. one's educational attainment can often be attributed to the education level of one's parents. poverty is mostly caused by the structural characteristics of society that lead to inequality. any given individual's success or failure can be attributed to the social class in which he or she was raised.

The answer is: everyone has the same chance to succeed, and success or failure is completely determined by the individual person.

This option aligns with the traditional notion of the American Dream, which suggests that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success through hard work and determination. This idea supports the belief that social stratification is justified because it is based on individual effort and merit.

While this statement is supported by research indicating that parental education levels can influence a child's educational outcomes, it does not directly relate to the concept of the American Dream legitimizing social stratification.

This perspective challenges the American Dream by suggesting that systemic issues, rather than individual effort, are responsible for poverty and inequality. It does not support the idea that social stratification is legitimate.

This option also challenges the American Dream by emphasizing the role of social class in determining success, rather than individual effort. It suggests that social stratification is not solely based on merit.