The Social Construction of Giftedness

Abstract

Lillian is an upper-class White mother with four children. She quit her career as a lawyer¹ to stay at home and take care of her children nearly 20 years ago. She has lived in TCS’s catchment since her oldest child was born. She moved into the city because her husband grew up in the suburbs, but “despised them.” He preferred the city lifestyle of diverse restaurants and walkability. Her older two children went to private schools in the city. Lillian’s oldest child now attends college and her second oldest is currently enrolled at a private New York City high school. Meanwhile, her two younger children both attend public schools. The middle child is enrolled in a highly selective and diverse public middle school and is a graduate of TCS’s G&T program. Lillian’s youngest child is currently enrolled in the fourth grade G&T program at TCS.