re: What will Ben Affleck do now that his secret shame is out?

In all honesty, it's a disparity in learning that takes place at home. A kid starting school in a middle class home with two parents who are both college educated starts at a higher level than a kid who comes from a lower/working class, single parent family. Generally speaking, your middle class children show up to grade school already knowing how to read, write, and count while the poorer children are playing catch-up. The middle class children, as they advance in school, continue to receive tutoring at home (having parents sit down and coach them through homework), while the lower class kids, again, fall behind because the parent in the house hold either doesn't have time due to working two or more jobs or they lack the education to help their kids understand their assignments.

Basically, Public Education is bullshite these days and MOST kids who will go on to succeed either receive a lot of help from home or from a mentor, if they cannot receive it at home. Drive and will does play a factor, but those who come from family situations that encourage academic growth and development are naturally going to do better and likely go further.