Fortunately, recently, professors Nick Bloom, Toby Kretschmer, and John van Reenen (from Stanford, the University of Munich, and the London School of Economics) conducted an extensive study examining the effect of family-friendly practices on hard variables such as firm sales per employee and return on capital employed, using a large database of firms from the US, the UK, Germany, and France.

FORBES: Are Family-Friendly Workplace Practices Worth Their Money? New Evidence

The study concludes that more than hard work, entrance into the middle class depends on the choices parents make for their children.

FORBES: 6 Milestones for Entering the Middle Class

As a study in the bitter politics of resistance, however, it would be hard to improve on.

ECONOMIST: British politicians: Just say no | The

Although his father wanted him to stick with the hard sciences, Wolfowitz went on to the University of Chicago, to study for a Ph.

NEWYORKER: The Next Crusade

We couldn't afford to tell those kids on the West Side or the South Side, if you work hard, if you study hard, if you're hitting the books, that you're going to be able to afford to go to college.

WHITEHOUSE: Remarks by the President at a DNC Event