People do not all have an equal chance of success. People with really crummy parents have a much lower chance of achieving "success", almost no matter how it's measured, than people with good parents. While it's unfortunate that some people have really crummy parents, there's a limit how much one can do to limit the damage caused by bad parents, without creating more problems than one solves.
I have to disagree with you, Super.
Personal initiative and drive can and usually does overcome things like that. This country is full of success stories. I personally know people who survived and overcame the scenario (as well as other, worse scenarios - alcoholic, abusive, and worse) who grew up, and went on to have thriving, productive and successful lives because they refused to be part of the vicious cycle.
Just a difference of opinion, friend.