Class
March 1, 2007 12:43 PM Subscribe
When did you know about social class? Has realizing it's existence changed things, like how you behave at work or the kinds of friends you have?
I'm interested because I wish someone had told me how much it affects things. I would definitley have double-majored in something practical .
How it changed me: I don't see myself risking marriage/divorce and kids primarily because they take so much money. Do other people feel the same? I've seen what divorce in a big family can do and it was probably one of the worst things about my childhood.
-If I ever own a business and offer internships, they will be paid and I won't assume someone has a laptop,car and phone for free use (probably paid by parents).
On the other hand my working class background (lived primarily in apartments in the South, single mom) makes me less naive about life in general.
Thanks in advance!
I'm interested because I wish someone had told me how much it affects things. I would definitley have double-majored in something practical .
How it changed me: I don't see myself risking marriage/divorce and kids primarily because they take so much money. Do other people feel the same? I've seen what divorce in a big family can do and it was probably one of the worst things about my childhood.
-If I ever own a business and offer internships, they will be paid and I won't assume someone has a laptop,car and phone for free use (probably paid by parents).
On the other hand my working class background (lived primarily in apartments in the South, single mom) makes me less naive about life in general.
Thanks in advance!
This post was deleted for the following reason: Awfully chatty.
I have a feeling this thread will soon be closed.
However, I started to recognize class issues when I stuck out like a sore thumb in my working class school. I was from a light blue collar background. My parents were from blue collar families and so were the kids at my school. I had a really hard time at school, especially since the others kids were from trades families and had more money than we did. (Light blue collar is closer to white collar, but with less money than carpenters and plumbers.) In high school, I felt like a poor kid, but I was bright and liked poetry and what-not. I majored in English in university, which allowed me to pick up a lot of nuances, such that I can bluff a middle class existence. When I went into the work world, I was blown away. I didn't know anything about wine, golf, sophisticated investments, foodies, summer camp, etc. I thought having a used car in great shape was a good sign, because it was paid off. Stuff like that. When I did my MBA, it really became clear that I was from a different world.
The biggest shock was that the middle and upper middle classes treat their children like children until they are in their late 20s. In the blue collar world, you're supposed to be street smart by 17 or so, since you're out of the house at 18. I was shocked to find out how this would affect starting salaries, downpayments, help with navigating the world, etc.
However, I read Limbo , which really helped me understand my experience. I recommend it to anyone struggling with class transition in the US/Canada. I now understand why I've felt like an immigrant all my life.
posted by acoutu at 12:59 PM on March 1, 2007
However, I started to recognize class issues when I stuck out like a sore thumb in my working class school. I was from a light blue collar background. My parents were from blue collar families and so were the kids at my school. I had a really hard time at school, especially since the others kids were from trades families and had more money than we did. (Light blue collar is closer to white collar, but with less money than carpenters and plumbers.) In high school, I felt like a poor kid, but I was bright and liked poetry and what-not. I majored in English in university, which allowed me to pick up a lot of nuances, such that I can bluff a middle class existence. When I went into the work world, I was blown away. I didn't know anything about wine, golf, sophisticated investments, foodies, summer camp, etc. I thought having a used car in great shape was a good sign, because it was paid off. Stuff like that. When I did my MBA, it really became clear that I was from a different world.
The biggest shock was that the middle and upper middle classes treat their children like children until they are in their late 20s. In the blue collar world, you're supposed to be street smart by 17 or so, since you're out of the house at 18. I was shocked to find out how this would affect starting salaries, downpayments, help with navigating the world, etc.
However, I read Limbo , which really helped me understand my experience. I recommend it to anyone struggling with class transition in the US/Canada. I now understand why I've felt like an immigrant all my life.
posted by acoutu at 12:59 PM on March 1, 2007
There is no social class in the United States the way you are describing it. You seem to be complaining about money and finding a job, which is completely different than "class".
I agree with edgeways, this question has no definite answer.
posted by Pastabagel at 1:01 PM on March 1, 2007
I agree with edgeways, this question has no definite answer.
posted by Pastabagel at 1:01 PM on March 1, 2007
To help you understand the inevitable deletion of this question...
posted by nanojath at 1:03 PM on March 1, 2007
posted by nanojath at 1:03 PM on March 1, 2007
Oh, I don't know if it's inevitable. Somehow the 'No Fat Chicks' question stayed up.
posted by box at 1:05 PM on March 1, 2007
posted by box at 1:05 PM on March 1, 2007
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This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by edgeways at 12:50 PM on March 1, 2007