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Inequality and how it impacts individuals in society
Class and inequality in America
Potential effects of social inequality on the individual, groups and society
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Denied a job, missed opportunities, dating issues, societal oppression, and political targeting – These are all common examples of what happens when classism exists. Class, the economic or social status of an individual, in America is extremely important and can be easily used as a weapon against the masses. Classism as defined by Merriam-Webster is the "prejudice or discrimination based on class" (Merriam-Webster, 2017). Using class, or economic status, as a view point for an individuals, or group's worth, has been happening for many years. The act of discriminating against someone(s) based on this is at the heart of classism. This discrimination could be passing someone up for a job opportunity. Denying an application to college, apartment, …show more content…
Some believe that classism is so bad that it has moved into full on class warfare. The issue with classism comes from the actual measurable harm it does to someone. Typically classism is more of a purposeful discrimination which has someone planning out how to keep their wealth or social status while stalling or lowering that of someone else. This can be seen in political policies targeted against the poor in favor of the wealthy, or something as simple as denial of a job due to your current living situation. Some issues are indirectly related to classism such as nepotism. The saying its expensive to be poor can be taken as a small token of proof that classism exists and some people in the world don’t want to see others, especially those in the lower percentage of earners, move up in class. If you are destined to be poor from birth then what do you have to live for. Poverty breeds issues such as crime, family issues and health problems, all of which help someone higher up earn money off of your …show more content…
Polices they pass have a direct impact on the lives of everyday Americans to which some argue help perpetuate wage stagnation, lack of class mobility, and social discord/distrust. These issues trickle down from the federal level to the state, and local governments, all the way into our homes. For years economic polies have been put in place to help the wealthy with politicians saying it is the middle to lower class who will ultimately benefit. We have been taught to believe in things like the "Trickle Down Economics", which states money will flow from the top to the bottom, or that giving tax breaks to the wealthy or big business will stir innovation, job growth or wage increases. Time and time again all we see from these actions is money flowing from the top to others at the top. (http://www.faireconomy.org/trickle_down_economics_four_reasons) Studies done by various universities and economists have shown that class mobility is not only an issue for the United States, but also the world. The real issue for governments, from Federal to state and local, is that this topic is easily manipulated and constructed to help whichever party is in power at the time. Some argue that it doesn’t exists, or is a small issue, while others point to differing facts and say it's one of the most important issues of our time. In order to truly help and stop the problem we will need to take politics out of the
The book Class matter shows the importance of how much people should value and appreciate the importance of a classroom education. How much you dedicate yourself to school can help you gain enough knowledge to be successful in the future. Having good quality education in America seems to be the closest thing to a ticket to class mobility. The book was very interesting in explaining what social class really is in America, and the way it affects people's lives on how they live day to day. The different types of social class is what shapes our society. But I think this book is more for those people who aren’t that aware of social class, or for the ones who feel that we live in a society that is classless rather then the actually people who have realized the consequence that class really has on someone’s life. Many people can relate to what stories are told in the book if not, they know of a person that can relate to these stories. As a person that grew up in the lower class, I can definitely relate to most of the stories told in this book. From experience, there is a big difference in this country between the rich, middle class, and who are the poorest that we see daily. Even those in the so called working class have to make continuous sacrifices and live very differently from those positioned firmly in the middle class. Some people may have decent jobs but the bills and other expenses people may have make it harder on people than those who are in the same class but don’t have to necessarily go through the same thing as others. The chapters that I read in this book broaden what I said to a better more clear understanding.
In "Class in America", Gregory Mantsios says that "when politicians and social commentators draw attention to the plight of the poor, they do so in a manner that obscures the class structure and denies any sense of exploitation." Based off our readings, class discussion and films, income inequality is known to be erased or ignore. Our society frowns upon the expression of income in our daily conversations, as it could be seen braggy or a complaint depending on your status of income. Because it's frowned upon to talk about, the topic of income inequality becomes erased or ignored. In addition, income inequality in America's class structure can affect people's ability to reach their American Dream.
The class system has been in place within humanity since the very birth of economic trade. It is a fact of life that others will seek self-betterment and gain power to provide for those that they love and their own personal interest. Throughout the years the implementation of a social class system has helped to differentiate the types of economic situations as nation and serve as a system to work toward the betterment of the society as a whole. However, as the world became more productive and the gaps between the higher classes and lower classes increased the efficiency of the social class system and the decisions made from the individuals within it has been called into question. Kalen Ockerman opened the channel to question if the class system is the helpful institution that benefits of all its citizens or if the lower classes are not getting the support and attention they deem necessary.
(p1) Broadly speaking, class is about economic and social inequality… (p6) We have a tendency for groups of advanced people to congregate together, and groups of disadvantaged people to congregate so that inequalities persist from generation to generation.
In Mantsios’ “Class in America” he provides us with four myths about the United States. In one of these myths the idea is brought up that the United States is, at its core, a classless society. It is also states that whether rich or poor, everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. The myth also states that health care and education are provided to everyone regardless of their financial stability. This idea about a classless society is exactly what Mantsios claims it to be, a myth. It is untrue to state that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law, and to believe that whatever differences exist in financial standing are insignificant. There are clear distinctions between different groups of people depending on their economic and social standing.
The myth that Australia is a classless society is still, till this day, circulating. With education opportunities differing, depending on your status in society and socioeconomic background, not all Australians share the same opportunity of education. Whether being a middle class citizen or an “elite” or from working class, all education opportunities offered, will be influenced by your financial status and hierarchy in society. Power can influence the outcome of an individual’s life.
In addition, the poor are overburdened they always have been, especially in 2014. This is owing to the fact that the middle class is close to disappearing, which is forming a large gap between the poor and the rich. Furthermore, banking can be more expensive for nearly all poor people, who are usually put in extreme circumstances where they are required to pay more taxes. And the poor are usually shut out from society and left on the street as if they were a piece of garbage, which is why it is particularly difficult to attain a job as a poor person. Not many people in the world care about the poor.
The myth that Australia is a classless society is still, till this day, circulating. With education opportunities differing, depending on your status in society and socioeconomic background, not all Australians share the same opportunity of education. Whether being a middle class citizen or an “elite” or from working class, all education opportunities offered, will be influenced by your financial status and hierarchy in society.
Classism is the lesser or different treatment based on social class. Classism is the oppression of the minority class groups to advantage and strengt...
This investigation plans to explore the multiple political parties that existed during the French Revolution and how their doctrines reflected that of the citizens of the French Empire, from 1789 to 1799. This paper will focus upon the ideas of egalitarianism, or the belief in equality.
In grade school, we were taught to listen and behave; learn and memorize what was in the text books. In high school we started learning to be more independent in our studies, rather than relying on a teacher who still helped and taught, but not like we had in grade school. In college, we are taught to analyze and critically think independently but still had the help we needed from the professor. With teachers being there, guiding us through every step, why does the teacher get the blame for when students fail. A students’ education comes down to selfishness, social class, and consumerism; not on the teacher who is there to help us in ways they are allowed. How can we better
Social and economic class is something we as Americans like to push into the back of our minds. Sometimes recognizing our class either socially or economically can almost be crippling. When individuals recognize class, limitations and judgment confront us. Instead, we should know it is important to recognize our class, but not let it define and limit us. In the essay, “Class in America”, Gregory Mantsios, founder and director of the Joseph S. Murphy Institute for Worker Education at the School of Professional Studies, brings to light the fact that Americans don’t talk about class and class mobility. He describes the classes in extremes, mainly focusing on the very sharp divide between the extremely wealthy and extremely poor. In contrast, George
Becoming an adult is signified differently in every culture, in America, reaching middle class status is one way that is used to indicate adulthood. To obtain middle class status one would need to acquire a job, become financially stable, get a house, and have a family. The “Mood Economy”, self-reliance, and distrust in institutions, as stated in Silva’s Coming Up Short, have reshaped what it means to become an adult. Replacing the traditional white picket fence ideals with new neoliberal ones. Although middle class status is still a goal for a lot of individuals, the number of people who reach middle class status has diminished significantly over the years. By examining the new milestones that mark adulthood and evaluating how the state reproduces little social mobility through “Attacking Solidarity” mentioned in Requiem for the American Dream, we can get a better idea of how the middle class disappeared before us.
In today’s society people are viewed as being in different classes depending on how much money they bring in. The categorization of people is known as classism. Classism is simply the prejudice or in favor of people belonging to a particular social class. Classism is known as one of the largest social problems plaguing the world today. Classes are formed according to how the rules of the following institutions; government regulations and economic status. It is held in place by a system of beliefs and cultural attitudes that ranks people according to their; economic status, family lineage, job status, and level of education. There are three major classifications to which people are titled. They include upper or high class which includes the people with the most money. The middle class who includes the people that brings home the average income. Finally, the class titled the lower class that includes the people who have only one income coming in or none at all (“What Is Classism.”). In the classrooms these classes still remain and the students within each class have different ways in which they learn, and view schooling. We as educators have to look passed their ways and address each class the same.
There has been a problem of different social classes have been having trouble getting along since the beginning of documented history. Lower social classes generally resent higher social classes because they are seen to be “lucky” rather than being seen as working hard. Higher social classes often look down on lower social classes because they are seen as less valuable and often lazy. As stated in the American Psychological Association in the Article I read, Class Differences, it doesn’t really matter what sorts of things we have or what schools we attend it’s about how we think act and feel. Differences in class effect the way people act towards one another not because of the actual differences between them but the perceived differences between