guess ill go first :P

[Triumph]

Race and zip code are equal in terms of disadvantage for those less fortunate.

When it comes to race, those of African American descent will tend to experience more intolerance, disrespect, and racial slurs than those who are not. Similar to those with Hispanic descent in the United States; many people automatically characterize anyone that is Hispanic to be automatically Mexican, rather than, say, Peruvian. Some will go further and claim the individual in question is actually an illegal immigrant.

Similar with zip codes. First off, I live in a reasonably well-off area. My county is fortunate to grace Wikipedia's top 50 highest personal income counties. I don't notice too much of an issue with zip codes here, but I know for a fact that those people from New York and other prominent areas will tend to sneer at someone who mentions that they are from a lesser prominent area, or perhaps a less wealthy region. Teenagers are much the same. Nocal vs. Socal is one example. My school teems with people who are Aberzombies who insist on wearing Abercrombie, who sometimes scorn people who wear Hollister. I have traveled through certain areas that are not as fortunate in terms of wealth, and I'll be honest: I did shudder at the thought of living in such places.

[Hessah]

Do you guys mean zipcode by the area that you live, rich/poor suburb?

[Spirit]

Yeah. We also call it "the other side of the tracks" <--- although that can have many meanings. Not just race, but also financial boundaries. Kind of like, I am considered middle-class, so the ritzy neighborhoods would deem me from the wrong side of the tracks, because I do not live in a 2 million dollar house.

[Hraesvelg]

I've been to California. You can HAVE it. Never getting a return on a friendly "Hello!" and getting looked at suspiciously for letting an elderly woman (with fewer items) go in front of me in a grocery store then getting nearly mocked for bringing a hostess gift in the form of a bottle of wine...fie on it.

[Spirit]

Is it not wierd how different our cultures are simply based on where we live IN the US? Things in the South are so much different. Not backwards different, just different.

[Manzcar]

Theoretically each state is or groupings of states in the US is the equivalent size of a country in Europe. Taking that into consideration you will have different cultural beliefs, languages, social interactions.

Also considering the OP on this, one would also have to look at the home structure of the individual. I am a firm believer that a child from a two parent home has a better chance than a child from a single parent home. Not a rule but a factor. It is easier to raise a child when there are two active parents guiding the child. It is harder when there is only one parent.

Just a thought.

[Spirit]

Easier, yes.... maybe. It really depends on the situation, the parents involved and the child. There are too many factors that could play a part in determining what is best and what is not.