at enters adulthood with equity — something solid to build on. It’s an undeniably appealing vision in a country where most people don’t have even a few hundred dollars in emergency savings.
But critics warn that the very structure of the plan ensures uneven outcomes. Stocks grow over time, yes, but not evenly. Crashes happen. Booms happen. Some eighteen-year-olds may see tens of thousands of dollars in their accounts. Others may receive an amount that feels more symbolic than useful. A program marketed as the great equalizer could easily turn into another tool of economic roulette.
