"Birds of a feather flock together"

Hey guys this week’s topic is Social Class and Cliques within society!

 

Social Class divides pyramid

                Social markers influence our lives in almost every way. Class and cliques have such a big affect on our daily life that we don’t even take much notice. Social class affects our actions of every waking minute of our lives. There is literally 100’s of things that determine your social class. In the PBS documentary, People Like US: Social Class in America they explore many components that make up your social class. The general criteria are your job, income, background, appearance, upbringing, and education. These are all things you interact with on a daily bases. The documentary states “it's the humblest, everyday things which display what class you are.”

                Everyday I experience the affects of social class. I believe all of us do. So why isn’t it discussed? Most of us simply ignore it. According to the PBS documentary some people “deal with being lower class by flaunting it”, such as the stereotypical hicks. Many follow the illusion of the Canadian dream that if you work hard good things will come to you. But as explored in PBS the reality is that it all truly relates to your class. The documentary states  that class is a state of mind. This in many ways is true. Simply stated  social class is stereotyping. We all do it, I know I do it. The second we meet someone we judge them upon their appearance and initial impressions. Social class is not only how we view others but how we perceive them relative to ourselves and others we know. Within a few seconds of meeting someone we make conclusions and judgement that in most cases last a life time.  That is why “first impressions are the most important.”  

Social markers occur everywhere-especially in school. There are clear groups of friends. Since Almonte is so small when a new person arrives it is very difficult  for them to fit in. Cliques are so tightly knit at our school it is like we build boundaries that are both felt and seen. Classism can easily be ignored because how we choose our cliques are unconscious decisions. We just automatically go to those who are similar to us and disregard the others, without truly thinking about it. There isn't any simple signs that someone is your class you just know when someone doesn't belong. 

Social class is the most important predictor of what kind of social, financial, and educational opportunities someone will have in life. Recently I have found this particularly relevant in applying to University. Your family’s income determines what school you can go to, what type of residence you live in, your life style (such as those $3000 meal plans!), and in many cases whether you even receive higher education.

Although most of us would like to believe in the Canadian dream social class is still very relevant in today’s society. Your class will follow for you for your entire life time. Cliques are not just part of high school. They are part of the work-place, neighbourhoods, and communities.