This entry is in response to the book, Class: A Guide Through the American Status System by Paul Fussell. I would be lying if I said I enjoyed this book but I would be wrong to leave out some of the pertinent and interesting material covered by the author. I spent much of the reading fighting off annoyance and disgust and yet searching for something to validate what I was reading to be of value. 'Know thy enemy as thyself' isn't just a cliche but also an approach to the study of social class in America, according to the author's assertion that though we are bound to social inequalities it doesn't mean that we can't study them. It is with this notion I strongly agree. Yet our modern world is changing rapidly and the common theme of social class distinction, as a political torch to be carried, is inspiring mob mentality with each side wildly bashing the other and eager to join in on the beating. So I find the issue of social class much like the author does, a touchy one. Yet the author fails to discuss this. Is the study purely academic or is there a hidden cost behind these revelations? I think there is a cost we are not prepared to pay.
The author states, "...we lack a convenient system of inherited titles, ranks and honors, and each generation has to define the hierarchies all over again." I cant think of a more appealing way to deal with social class than this. Each generation or few generations have the opportunity to do things differently. We are not bound by the constructs of titles, royalty and rank in the same way other societies are bound. We can start anew, constantly reworking the system ideally to achieve optimal social identities. It is this very system of which I am so proud to be a part of. I simply can't imagine being born without the possibility or dream of improving my own or my family's lot in life. I can't imagine the rigidity of inherited titles and royalty with no hope of aspiring to anything different than your father's occupation. Yet in this country there is that possibility. But this author would have you believe it is an unachievable dream to which we are all victims of belief. I suppose one could agree if the goal to achieve was to belong to the upper echelon of old money, but it is greater aspirations we should have in mind. Why should we think it would be any easier to infiltrate a group of old money socialites or a tight knit group of cerebral physicists? Sometimes you simply can't have everything your way even if you are beautiful, rich, powerful or famous. Life in any form d
oes not permit you all of your heart's desires. A socialite may thrive in her own environment yet she must convince herself that it is beneath her to socialize with a chemist or a mountain climber because she can't compete. The same can be said if she is trying to fit in with a group of men, there are always going to be things that separate each of us from another and yet we can still find common bonds to tie many of us together. Still we would be silly to imagine that our efforts would ever rid us of class or inequalities. That is a Utopian dream and a socialist's impossibility. It is far more logical to deal in realities.The realities are that we are flawed and are unable to produce anything that is not flawed. That doesn't mean we should give up and go home but there is a certain amount of humility that comes with knowing our own limitations. No one prospers through blind ignorance. It is just that each of us wants to belong somewhere and our nature has favored our preservation through exclusion. As the author pointed out repeatedly and in far too great detail, there are distinctions we make between ourselves and others. These distinction consider hair, weight, speech, clothing, skin, jewelry, shoes, money, job, family name, car, parents, breed of dog, neighbors, the way we walk, where we vacation and so many more. I do find these distinctions frivolous but none of use can consider ourselves immune to them all. I accept that life does not guarantee me all that I wish for and I know that this applies to everyone regardless of class. Life is what you make of it and money doesn't buy happiness are just cliches but real life wisdom. It wouldn't hurt us to remember the lessons of those before us. Are we so arrogant to think we have all the answers?
Bridget I couldn't agree with you more! When you said, "We are not bound by the constructs of titles, royalty and rank in the same way other societies are bound. We can start a new, constantly reworking the system ideally to achieve optimal social identities." This a very true and a perfect example. I feel that people get stuck in what they know or what people want them to do or be and forget this very statement. Sometimes we need to realize that we can break the mold or think outside the box. I feel that we cause more of a limitation on ourselves than social class or status. I feel that we think oh this is as good as it gets and dont strive for better or high goals.
ReplyDelete"A socialite may thrive in her own environment yet she must convince herself that it is beneath her to socialize with a chemist or a mountain climber because she can't compete." This was also a really good point you made. We are all comfortable in what we know and who we know, but when the situations reaches outside of our comfort zone we free up, set ourselves part, in some way we draw a line and dont cross it. In some form I feel that we need to take greater risk for the greater reward and not hold back as much.
I think more of us need to realize that money and social class doesn't give us everything we want or bring true happiness. It is something found inside. And I truly do think that some people really are just arrogant to the fact that we don't have all the answers and never will.
I really enjoyed your pictures as well.
If there are costs to studying social classes, what are they? I think one of the costs may be that it adds to the class warfare that we deal with enough as it is in this country. I'm not saying that studying the class structure is a bad thing, but many times it is used to perpetuate class warfare.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys! I can see this is an issue that we all have opinions on!
ReplyDeletei do agree with his quote of "We are not bound by the constructs of titles, royalty and rank in the same way other societies are bound. We can start a new, constantly reworking the system ideally to achieve optimal social identities." but also with this statement, many times throughout life if you're not of the higher class, or the higher honcho, you can't be who or what you want to be. in the main stream business and education you're taught to follow the rules, do things certain ways, and make sure you do it right. if you deviate from this at all you're likely to be shunned or punished for you're not working as the well oiled machine and you're the sprocket that's a little messed up throwing the whole process off. most businesses out there seem to not want you to be yourself, but instead a computational machine that just re-iterates their orders.
ReplyDeleteso in this kind of world, even though we don't have the class restrictions and what not, it's still very hard to progress up in this society and repave your way with those above you always pushing you down.
I wish I had read this one first. Very nice post.
ReplyDeleteI sort of have to agree with Phylip though, in a sense; there are strictures on our expansion as an individual. Middle class status is probably achievable, but upper class is reserved for a small number of people. Not to mention, your ability to move up is hugely dependent upon the actions of others in higher stations than your own. I'm not even saying that someone above you just doesn't want you there; it's much more benign than that. Think (again) of the sub-prime crisis, and what effect that could have had on the economy had the government not stepped in. Thousands of bankers buy and sell inanely risky and, often, insanely stupid loans, and we're teetering on the edge of total financial meltdown.
I know this seems a little doomsday-ish, and I do not, not, not want anyone to live their life without the hope of self-betterment, or to not work toward it for any reason. Just because it's possible you'll fail doesn't mean you shouldn't try. But no one should be under the impression that if they work hard and remain honest, they're bound to be rich. The realization that that's not the case can be very painful.
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ReplyDeleteWell Eric, and Phylip there is a lot to what you say. In referencing the sub-prime crisis we have to remember the most important aspect of it...it was in large part caused by government regulations and allowances for individuals that should not have been allowed to buy a house but were practically guaranteed one. There are other factors too but this is a huge one. In tying this to social class it seems obvious to me that with the government having their hands in the financial sector (via special interests etc) that we are potential victims of the downfall. Actually we are the victims of the downfall. Most of us did not take out bad loans or buy bad loans and ask the government to bail us out. So when your financial well being is closely tied to the whims of others, yes rising in class can be seriously impeded. But if we were to minimize such controls (wishful thinking) we could theoretically have a great deal of opportunity to prosper in this country. Why couldnt you get rich? I suppose it depends on your definition of rich but there are many people who work very hard, go to school to be heart surgeons or architects and if they are talented and invest their time they will succeed. They may even become quite well off. Will they be accepted by the elite? Honestly, who cares? This is the part of social class discussion that I always get to...who cares if you are not accepted. Just work hard to get where you want to go and God willing...you will get there. If others dont like you when you do then so what. Some of us have starting points at the very bottom rungs of the ladders while others get to start higher. But that's life. If you ever get blessed to get rich enough to pass on to your children then they will get to start higher up too. Either way our dreams and aspirations could get dashed any minute for any reason....no matter where on the ladder you stand. Sorry....I tend to rant.
ReplyDeleteI particularly like the title you chose for your blog. Truthfully I can agree that social class is like the elephant in the room. Everyone has some problem with it or something to say about social class and its issues. We all need to address this and
ReplyDeleteSeeing the unity graphic you posted made me think more in depth about social class. Typically I tend to think of upper class as the same race of people, which share a common religion, that speak English and often marry the opposite sex. I only think this because I live up by Amberley Village and that’s what I tend to see within that community. But, it would be very interesting to see how the people of Amberley Village would act if say a wealthy Mexican man who was gay moved into their part of town. Even though he may have as much money as them he may be viewed differently by all of the upper class people around him, just because of his race, that he speaks Spanish and that he is gay. People may think he is lower class than he really is because of the mere differences he has compared to them.
It’s difficult to know who really is upper class and who likes to act like they are rich and upper class. Bridget is right! If we don’t start doing something about all this it’s just going to stay the same.
Bridget,
ReplyDeleteYour post left me feeling very hopeful!!! I thought that after reading this dreadful book, your response was exactly what I needed to hear. It's easy to get caught up in the negativity associated with social class. I sometimes feel as if I would be able to move up in social class if I worked hard enough, but writing like Fussell's makes me wonder if that's possible after all. Your post brought me back to the reality that we're so lucky to live in a place that doesn't have titles and corwns, and we don't have to do the same thing as the generation before us, we can do better if we choose to.
I'm not sure how far each person can move up socially. I would say that it is different for everyone. Depending on the money you make, the acting skills you posess, and your physical appearance, you may be able to move up one social class, others may be able to move up as many times as they want. Once again, I agree with Amanda's post that it does depend on the money you make and how you're raised. Some people will never fit into the class that they desire to become a part of.
I agree with Lee that your blog was just what I needed after reading this book. I am also upset yours was the last blog I read and this may sound corny but it gave me goose bumps!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part was when you were commenting on Fussell’s statement, “"...we lack a convenient system of inherited titles, ranks and honors, and each generation has to define the hierarchies all over again."
You said, “We are not bound by the constructs of titles, royalty and rank in the same way other societies are bound. We can start anew, constantly reworking the system ideally to achieve optimal social identities. It is this very system of which I am so proud to be a part of. I simply can't imagine being born without the possibility or dream of improving my own or my family's lot in life. I can't imagine the rigidity of inherited titles and royalty with no hope of aspiring to anything different than your father's occupation. Yet in this country there is that possibility.” I could not agree with what you have said here ANY more! The fact we are so privileged to live in a country with freedoms such as this is absolutely remarkable. I could not imagine living in a country where no matter what you did and how hard you worked to achieve your goals you could never do anything to better the social class you are associated with. Although ultimately I wish that social class was something we never had to deal with, it is part of living the “American dream”.
I also completely agree that life is what you make of it and money doesn't buy happiness. I have seen more friendships and relationships ruined by money that it is sickening. Prime example being the relationship between my father and his brother and sister after their parents died. My dad finally gave in and let his siblings duke it out because he quickly realized that the money should be what life is about. It is sick to know we live in a world that can break family bonds over the desire for money.
Right, I am so glad that I am not head bound by the constructs of what society or statistic say that I am or what I should be. I am empowered by the power of begin able to start anew, to break down social barriers and live a diversified lifestyle. Walking in the freedom of being myself and confident in every decisions I make without having to worry about what my neighbor thinks of me. Life is what you make of it, I don’t have any money but I am the riches girl in the world. Why? Because I know love and serve a risen Savior!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBridget,
ReplyDeleteThanks for starting a lively conversation about whether we should approach the topic of social class as optimists or pessimists. As with most things, I approach the subject a la Antonio Gramsci, with "pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will." The truth is the American Dream is a myth. I've read that only 1% of people escape the class they were born into, hardly enough to support the American Dream being anything but a dream. Furthermore, mobility is about luck as much as it is pluck. See this graph: http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/national/20050515_CLASS_GRAPHIC/index_01.html
However, dreams are useful, even if they are illusory. If the "dream of improving my own or my family's lot in life" helps you get up in the morning, go to work, and strive to better yourself, then so be it. I don't think, however, that this is the only path to happiness. I've noticed many comments on the concept of happiness. I don't recall Fussell bringing up happiness. It's too subjective of a category, and each class can achieve their own sense of the good life. I will say, in defense of Fussell, that his Class X seems to find happiness in freedom (you can't get anymore American than that!), and that the sense of liberty that its members value is not tied up with money.
I have to say something about your reading the subprime crisis. The government should be blamed, but not for the reason you state. The government should be blamed for deregulating these markets, thus setting up both banks and aspiring Americans (for that is precisely what those people are who signed mortgages they couldn't afford; I imagine most were simply trying to improve their lot in life by following the American Dream of home ownership) to agree on contracts that were insane, i.e. not based in any recognizable reality. Of course, the mortgages are only part of the problem. You have the deregulation of derivative swaps and all those other clever fiscal tricks where futures, i.e. unrealized money, are being traded for futures, etc. Blaming the government for allowing the proles (to use Fussell's category) to overstep their class boundaries is too simplistic of a narrative for the crisis.
As for studying class perpetuating class warfare: Isn't not studying class a form of "class warfare" (whatever that means).
Thanks everyone! I loved reading everyone's comments. Dr. B....I love to debate stuff about the government so thanks for add your comments about that. I was trying to restrain myself but that probably didnt show. ha ha. That's a whole other issue that I promise to try to restrain. I appreciate your insights!
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