Social Class Research Paper

In today’s society, we focus so deeply on moving up in a social class that some of the real issues at hand blind us. A social class defining a person’s education, medical care, or acceptance in society is unacceptable. As Americans, we have struggled throughout history to overcome segregation between races, fought for gender equality, and we are making a stride to prevent biases towards sexual orientation. Yet, we still are separated by social class more now than ever before. The “Upper class” which is considered the elite, receives a more productive education along with higher education because they can afford schools that are more prestigious. A person’s life is valued higher if they have money and power. Money and power ensures the capabilities of obtaining an abundant amount of assets, while enjoying a luxurious life. Does being a part of the elite class, come with a racial identification card? Race, ethnicity, and gender seem to be obsolete when considered part of the elite class. This paper will show the research of a person’s social class, and how it has become an identifier in everyday descriptor around the world, as well as discrimination being less if belonging to the

elite class.
Social class is amongst the most significant of all sociocultural contexts, and as such, it may be the most diverse influence of a person acceptance in the world (Susan T. Fiske, 2012). We all share a common goal as humans, which is “the pursuit of happiness”. The ideas of equality can differ, as well as the reality of the inequality. The unfortunate people that reside in low-income societies have an abundance of factors that may lessen a person chance for success. Segregated communities to low wage employment and inadequate funded public schooling are just a few of the harsh conditions that exist around the world. We tend to call theses the “lower class” or “peasants” if we are still stuck in the 19th century. We can define a person character, simply by stereotyping them from their living conditions and their accessibility to resources.
Discrimination is not only against those of different race, ethnicity, gender, or physical disability. It is also relatable to people of certain social classes. Classification of the social class uses expressions like “lower class”, “working class”, and “upper class” (Schmidt. 2006). These labels are throughout the society by describing individual’s availability to obtain resources. If a person is considered to be associated with the “lower class”, then they are known to be in the social economics status of poverty. Poverty is believed to have major effects on a child’s resources in education and may inhibit their learning process (Roseberry-McKibben, 2001). According to the (U. S. Census Bureau, 2016), a single person making $12,000 a year or less is considered to be living in poverty. A single parent working 20 hours per week, earning minimum wage will be in considered living in poverty. The amount of resources that will be available to a child in that setting is very limited. Healthcare is necessary for all children as well as adults, the amount or type of healthcare that can be provided for a child of poverty is minimum to none. For example, a child attending school may encounter vision problems; without medical resources for confirmation, their condition may worsen. A child considered to be in poverty may also be suffering silently from hunger or lack of nutritional necessities. Over the past decade, numbers have shown that there are fewer children today living in poverty. Although the concern has arisen, that based upon the number of children that is being raised in a single family home is a major contributor to child poverty. (Toppo, 2003).
If a child is faced with psychological effects with being associated with living in poverty, it can be detrimental for his/her learning capabilities. A child associated with black identity in the lower class may become discriminated upon while dealing with psychological issues. Studies have shown that African Americans have 22.5 percent of their population living in poverty, while they only make up 11.5 percent of the national population (Lewis & Benet, 2003). Classism is throughout all ethnicities, yet there are surprisingly high numbers in the black communities. A child that may face discrimination over social class identification may suffer in multiple ways throughout his/her lifetime. A black minority child from a single family home may impede in self and social development, which can ultimately lead to a road of self-destruction. The effects of discrimination can be relatable to high amounts of stress. This type of stress can be attributed to humiliation and discrimination, which a child will try to escape from, by any means necessary.
A person of the black identity from a single family in association with the “upper class” classification may not suffer from the same negative confrontation. A child that has proper medical care, eats foods of high nutritional value and a substantial surplus of resources, may flourish through life. A child that has resources at his/her disposal lives somewhat a normal life. Normal life for most means setting goals and working to achieve them. Without the additive of stress that a child in poverty endures, one can rely on normal amounts of stress as a motivational tool, which is quite the opposite reaction as a child in poverty.
Gender and Sexual orientation identity is a major discussion throughout society today. Social class may effect and determine the type of treatment and/or discrimination received. A person that is associated with the transgender identity associated may have been discriminated against. In a small rural town name, Gloucester in Gloucester County, Virginia a young man is currently involved in a Supreme Court discrimination case against the Gloucester County School Board (American Civil Liberties Union, 2017). This bright young man was born transgender, yet he has always associated with the male gender. Gloucester county School Board enforced a new policy in 2015 that made Gavin Grimm stop using the male bathroom, which he had previously used. Due to his gender orientation, he is single out amongst his peers and made to use only the bathroom that are labeled “transgender”. Gavin’s family is considered to be in the “lower class” by some standards. The young man has suffered extreme amounts of discrimination from his peers as well as the staff from the school. If Gavin and his family had an abundant amount of resources, like access to top lawyers and an excess funds able to be donated to the School Board, if would he be facing the same level of discrimination.
As we look at the other end of the spectrum we will find that, a person considered to be of the “upper class” has a sex change. The individual is open and verbal about changing his identity from a man to a woman. So open in fact, it is publisized on a reality television show that recieves millions of viewers. Glamour Magazine selected Bruce Jenner also known as Caitlyn Jenner within one year of having a sex change for “Woman of the Year” (Thomas N, 2015). These two examples may be different on some grounds, yet if their social classifications are also very different. Does the upper class accept the transgender identity; were as the lower class does not? Alternatively, does money create a power that shields discrimination?
Classism can attribute different treatment based on the social class, yet the “lower class” has less mobility to begin the upward movement on the social class ladder.

Discrimination may only be prevalent depending on your social classification. If a lower class has fewer opportunities in the societies to provide a chance to flourish, how can one start the process to strive for success? In communities around the globe, there is government and private funded programs to help and assist the underprivileged. Places like “Urban League of Hampton Roads” located here in Virginia, will provide information for programs as well as monetary assistance, which can act as a temporary supplemental income. Other organizations like “Equality Virginia” can provide assistance for discriminatory

crimes.
Race, ethnicity, and gender orientation are all relatable to oppression. Social class shares a relationship with these cultural diversities and even may override these diversities at times. Money and power can be quite influential, yet some cultural diversity is only applicable to the middle class and lower class as it appears. Some researches claim that racism and other ‘diversities don’t exist in the upper class. While others claim, that higher education and more prestigious schools make for a cognitive environment (W.K.Gabrenya Jr., 2003). As a society, we should fight against oppression, as well as support local programs that can be beneficial to those in need.
In conclusion, as counselors or helpers in social services we should be non-biased towards those of elite status or poverty. We should be mindful of some psychological difficulties and variance one may have encountered coming from poverty versus having an abundant amount of resources. Empathy over a client’s situation, by using self-disclosure may be a great resource. Although it could be counterproductive if the counselor did not consider cultural differences. Every client’s perception of worldviews will differ. Although if a counselor is multicultural competent, the broad knowledge base will suffice in the unexpected challenges that may occur with a diverse cliental.