History12 mins ago
How do you define 'Class'?
91 Answers
With the election looming, there's been much discussion on 'Class' on here lately, so how do you, personally, define 'Class'?
Take, for example, someone born to a poor family living in a deprived area in totally inadequate rented accommodation, but who is bright enough to pass an exam to enable them to get a place in a good school and gain a good education. They then work hard to succeed in their chosen career, become a high earner, and subsequently buy a house in a much more affluent neighbourhood, enjoying the foreign holidays, cars, and all the other things the fruits of their labour has brought them. What 'class' would you place such a person in, and do you applaud their success or resent it?
Take, for example, someone born to a poor family living in a deprived area in totally inadequate rented accommodation, but who is bright enough to pass an exam to enable them to get a place in a good school and gain a good education. They then work hard to succeed in their chosen career, become a high earner, and subsequently buy a house in a much more affluent neighbourhood, enjoying the foreign holidays, cars, and all the other things the fruits of their labour has brought them. What 'class' would you place such a person in, and do you applaud their success or resent it?
Answers
Best Answer
No best answer has yet been selected by naomi24. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
i would say the person in your example is desperately trying to elevate or cling to middle class status, although their working class background is evident, they are constantly aware they are on the brink.
middle class people, often display what's called "conspicuous consumption" working full time, a brand-new (probably leased) flash car on the drive, designer labels hanging in the wardrobe, and credit-card's maxed out, expensive holidays. the middle class income is stretched to its limit to pay for these luxuries.
a middle-class family often undermines its own potential for wealth by overspending compared to what they earn, because they're concerned with measuring up to their neighbours in terms of how big their house is, what sort of car they drive and the price tag on the clothes they wear.
i don't applaud or resent their 'success'. i recognise that they are a self achiever, but also recognise that they are striving, often beyond their financial measn, to keep up with the jones' ane elevate their perceived class. the biggest financial challenges for those on the less privileged end of the spectrum is escaping from lower class income and spending, and elevating themselves to middle class.
a person of upper class (or wealth/status) will find that buying suits from asda, dricing around in an old range rover that they got a good deal on, and holidaying in the cotswolds does them well as they feel no need to demonstrate their success and wealth, more that they need to save what they have or spend it on their childrens education than on the trappings of wealth.
http://en.wikipedia.o...nspicuous_consumption
middle class people, often display what's called "conspicuous consumption" working full time, a brand-new (probably leased) flash car on the drive, designer labels hanging in the wardrobe, and credit-card's maxed out, expensive holidays. the middle class income is stretched to its limit to pay for these luxuries.
a middle-class family often undermines its own potential for wealth by overspending compared to what they earn, because they're concerned with measuring up to their neighbours in terms of how big their house is, what sort of car they drive and the price tag on the clothes they wear.
i don't applaud or resent their 'success'. i recognise that they are a self achiever, but also recognise that they are striving, often beyond their financial measn, to keep up with the jones' ane elevate their perceived class. the biggest financial challenges for those on the less privileged end of the spectrum is escaping from lower class income and spending, and elevating themselves to middle class.
a person of upper class (or wealth/status) will find that buying suits from asda, dricing around in an old range rover that they got a good deal on, and holidaying in the cotswolds does them well as they feel no need to demonstrate their success and wealth, more that they need to save what they have or spend it on their childrens education than on the trappings of wealth.
http://en.wikipedia.o...nspicuous_consumption
Everton, I didn't ask whether you respect people or positions. I asked if you see anyone employed to make decisions as being in a higher bracket than you. Never mind. I can't be bothered to go all around the houses with you again just to get a simple answer to a simple question.
As for your lady in the Daily Mirror article, the newspaper is doing what all newspapers do - printing stories that suit their purpose.
Ankou, The question is not how a person such as the one in my example might class themselves, but how others would class them.
As for your lady in the Daily Mirror article, the newspaper is doing what all newspapers do - printing stories that suit their purpose.
Ankou, The question is not how a person such as the one in my example might class themselves, but how others would class them.
Everton, What on earth are you talking about? No, don't bother to answer that. It seems if anyone is confused it's you. This is a simple enough question, but never mind. Thanks for your answers.
DrFilth, apparently the rich/poor divide is wider now than it was 40 years ago. This government doesn't encourage or reward effort.
DrFilth, apparently the rich/poor divide is wider now than it was 40 years ago. This government doesn't encourage or reward effort.
naomi would take me ages to type out the truth.
my problems went from bad to worse due to the dwp saying you will get sick payment then later on saying i am not entitled to it due to the fact i have a small pension.
all forms filled out correctly and honestly with all details given to them
( forms checked by union rep )
so after leaving school and working for over 30 years i am not allowed to claim for anything
my problems went from bad to worse due to the dwp saying you will get sick payment then later on saying i am not entitled to it due to the fact i have a small pension.
all forms filled out correctly and honestly with all details given to them
( forms checked by union rep )
so after leaving school and working for over 30 years i am not allowed to claim for anything
Unfortunately, that's a familiar story these days. It seems those who make the effort to provide for themselves are the ones who are penalised most. I have an elderly aunt in a similar situation, and yet I know of someone on benefits who gets everything paid for him and can afford to spend 6 weeks in Thailand every year. This government has the gall to promote 'Fairness for all, and then we hear stories like yours and see articles like this.
http://www.telegraph....r-off-unemployed.html
And yet people still cling to, and promote the virtues of a Labour party that works for the working man because they can't see that a once fine philosophy has long since evaporated, and that New Labour and Old Labour are worlds apart. Up until a few years ago I was a life-long Labour voter - but never again. Frankly this government makes me sick.
http://www.telegraph....r-off-unemployed.html
And yet people still cling to, and promote the virtues of a Labour party that works for the working man because they can't see that a once fine philosophy has long since evaporated, and that New Labour and Old Labour are worlds apart. Up until a few years ago I was a life-long Labour voter - but never again. Frankly this government makes me sick.
