Nicholas Connors-Johnson

National Louis University

ABS-426

August 9th, 2023

Race and Ethnicity, Sex and Gender, Social Class, Sexuality, and Disability," which discusses many of the

constructions that we are all confronted with today. However, social class is one in particular that I

would like to explore further. Social class is described as a construct that is often tied to economic status

but is also influenced by other factors such as education, occupation, and cultural capital. The book

suggests that social class can have a significant impact on an individual's life chances and opportunities,

and that it is often intertwined with other forms of identity such as race, ethnicity, and gender.

In our society, there are several different levels of social class within the United States. First, the

upper class, which is mostly composed of individuals who have significant wealth, high levels of

education, hold positions of power, and lastly influence society. Second, the middle class are typically

considered the individuals who have achieved a certain level of economic stability as well as social

mobility. Third, the working class, this group of individuals are characterized by individuals whose jobs

involve manual labor and are thought to have limited access to economic and social resources. Finally,

the lower class, this group is typically composed of individuals who live in poverty and have limited

access to economic and social resources as well. “When people in the United States talk about class, it is

often in ways that hide its most important parts. We tend to think about class in terms of income, or the

lifestyles that income can buy.” (Rosenblum & Travis, 2008)

Firstly, individuals from higher social classes are more likely to have access to quality education

and resources that can help them succeed academically. This can lead to greater opportunities for

higher education and better-paying jobs. Second, individuals from lower social classes may not have the

financial resources to afford quality healthcare or may live in areas with limited access to healthcare

facilities. “Persons living in poverty and reduced socioeconomic circumstances have greater exposure to

physical (crowding, poor sanitation, extreme temperatures), chemical and biochemical (diet, pollution,
smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse), biological (bacteria, viruses) and psychological (stress) risk factors

that produce ill health than more affluent individuals.” (Rosenblum & Travis, 2008) Lastly, individuals

from higher social classes may have greater access to professional networks and job opportunities that

are not available to those from lower social classes. “For the privileged, this not only includes high-

quality food, clothing, and shelter but also extends to luxuries such as entertainment, toys, travel, family

vacations, enrichment camps, private lessons, and a host of other indulgences.” (Rosenblum & Travis,

2008)

In addition, the book also explores how social class can affect people's life experiences and

opportunities beyond education, healthcare, and employment. For instance, social class can shape the

types of neighborhoods people live in, the quality of their living conditions, and their access to basic

needs such as healthy food and safe living environments. Moreover, social class can influence people's

social networks, cultural experiences, and leisure activities. For example, individuals from higher social

classes may have more opportunities to travel, attend cultural events, and participate in recreational

activities that are not accessible to those from lower social classes. “The children of the wealthy travel in

high-powered social circles. These connections provide access to power, information, and other

resources. The difference between rich and poor is not in knowing people; it is in knowing people in

positions of power and influence who can do things for you.” (Rosenblum & Travis, 2008)

Moreover, high levels of wealth and income disparity exist in the US, with a small number of

wealthy families at one end of the spectrum and a small number of impoverished families who are far

worse off at the other. The overall image shows that the majority of the money that is accessible is

concentrated in a small area at the very top of the system. The gap between the very wealthy and

everyone else has significantly widened in recent decades as the affluent become richer. “A first

fundamental shift in thinking is the recognition that poverty affects us all. All too often we view poverty
as someone else’s problem or think that poverty is confined to certain areas and neighborhoods (such as

inner cities or remote rural areas), and that by avoiding such areas we can simply ignore the issue. The

notion is “out of sight, out of mind.” (Rosenblum & Travis, 2008)

Moreover, “The Meaning of Difference: American Constructions of Race and Ethnicity, Sex and

Gender, Social Class, Sexuality, and Disability,” examines the concept of the culture of poverty, which

suggests that individuals who are born into poverty develop a distinct set of values, beliefs, and

behaviors that perpetuate their poverty. Such as; poor people are unmotivated and have weak work

ethics, poor people tend to abuse drugs and alcohol, Poor parents are uninvolved in their children’s

learning, largely because they do not value education, and poor people are linguistically deficient.

Several poor individuals must hold down two, three, or even four jobs. Low-income people are less likely

to participate in school activities than their more affluent colleagues, not because they value education

less. They are more likely to have occupations without paid leave, work numerous jobs, work nights,

work multiple jobs on the weekends, and cannot afford childcare or public transportation. Alcohol and

drug misuse is no more prevalent among the less fortunate than it is among the more affluent. Drug

usage is equally prevalent in low, middle-class, and rich neighborhoods, despite the fact that drug sales

are more obvious in impoverished areas. Regardless of the languages and dialects they speak, everyone

employs the whole range of linguistic registers. “The myth of a “culture of poverty” distracts us from a

dangerous culture that does exist—the culture of classism.” (Rosenblum & Travis, 2008)

Moreover, it is challenging for people to advance within the system only based on their own

merit because of the economic inequalities in society. Where people started is the most significant

element in determining where they will end up in the economic hierarchy. Children inherit distinct

starting places from their parents, and generational economic disparity has a strong inertial effect.

Except for the poorest of the poor, inheritance comes with several cumulative non-merit benefits, such
as higher childhood standards of living, unequal access to cultural capital, stronger social networks,

parental capital infusion, longer lifespans, and inheritance of large estates upon parents' passing.

The impact of social class on people's lives goes beyond individual experiences and can have

broader implications for society as a whole. Social class hierarchies can create a sense of division and

inequality, leading to social and economic disparities that are difficult to overcome. This can lead to a

cycle of poverty and limited opportunities for individuals from lower social classes, which can have long-

lasting effects on their lives and the lives of their families. To break this cycle, it is important to address

the root causes of social class inequalities and work towards creating a more just and equitable society.

This can involve implementing policies and programs that promote access to education, healthcare, and

employment opportunities for individuals from lower social classes. It can also involve promoting

diversity and inclusion in all areas of society, such as in the workplace, schools, and community

organizations. By recognizing the impact of social class on people's lives and working towards creating a

more equitable society, we can help to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and reach

their full potential.

In addition, the book highlights the importance of intersectionality, which is a concept that

recognizes that individuals have multiple identities that intersect and impact their experiences. For

example, an individual's experience of social class is not separate from their experience of race, gender,

sexuality, or ability. Rather, these identities intersect and influence each other, creating unique

challenges and opportunities for individuals. By acknowledging the complexity of people's identities and

experiences, we can better understand the ways in which social class intersects with other aspects of

identity and how this intersectionality can create unique challenges for individuals from marginalized

communities. For instance, individuals who are both low-income and members of a racial or ethnic

minority group may face additional barriers to accessing education, healthcare, and employment
opportunities. Therefore, it is important to address the ways in which different aspects of identity

intersect and impact people's experiences to create a more just and equitable society. By promoting

inclusivity and recognizing the value of diversity, we can work towards a society that values all

individuals and promotes equity for all.

In conclusion, emphasizing the importance of bridging differences in order to create a more

inclusive and equitable society. One way to bridge social class differences is through education and

awareness-raising about the impact of social class on people's lives. This can involve providing resources

and support to individuals from lower social classes to help them access education, healthcare, and

employment opportunities. It can also involve creating opportunities for individuals from different social

classes to interact and collaborate, such as through community programs or workplace initiatives. By

working together and recognizing the value of each other's perspectives, we can break down social-class

barriers.

References:
1. Rosenblum, K. E., & Travis, T. M. C. (2008, January 1). The Meaning of Difference: American
Constructions of Race, Sex and Gender, Social Class, Sexual Orientation, and Disability. McGraw-
Hill Humanities, Social Sciences & World Languages. https://doi.org/10.1604/9780073380056