ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Horatio Alger myth

The Horatio Alger myth is a story that is often told to children about a person who works really hard and overcomes many challenges to become successful. Horatio Alger was an author who wrote many such stories in the late 1800s that became very popular.

The myth says that if you work hard enough, you can become successful, no matter where you come from or what challenges you face. It suggests that anyone can achieve success if they have enough determination and work hard enough.

However, critics argue that the Horatio Alger myth is not entirely true, as success is not solely determined by hard work and determination. They point out that there are many factors that can affect a person's chances of success, such as social class, race, and gender.

To summarize, the Horatio Alger myth tells children that hard work and determination will lead to success, but this is not necessarily true. Many other factors can play a role in determining a person's success.