"Mom, can we go shopping this weekend?" my daughter asked me out of the blue one day.
"Kiddo, I just bought you new clothes for school, not long ago. What's wrong with those?" I inquired.
"I want nice clothes like (friends' name here). They are more fashionable than my clothes."
Since then, we've had several conversations about the differences between her friend's family and ours. Although, her friend's father is of the same rank as my husband, her friend's mother has remarried and she lives with her mother and stepfather most of the year. Her friend is also an only child, and my daughter is the oldest of three children. In her friend's home, there are just more resources available, a concept that my twelve year old daughter isn't ready to accept.
I remember when I was younger, my fellow classmates took part in similiar class races, like this one. I watched as some of the kids around me wanted the same shoes as a celebrity or the most popular kid in school. From time to time, although rarely fortunately, I was told that I needed to "upgrade" my clothes. I didn't care. My clothes were not worn or faded, I looked nice in them, and although might not have been designer, weren't "rags" like some would have me believe.
Even now as adults, we engage in seemingly silly competition with our neighbors. As embarrassed as I am to admit this, a few weeks back when I heard that one of my neighbors had a 72" flatscreen, suddenly my 60" flatscreen, that was fairly new seemed mediocre. At the time I couldn't understand why that little green monster was rearing his ugly head. Afterall, we don't have the furniture to accomodate a bigger television.
These are just personal examples of how there are still class stratification in our society. Children, unfortunately, are taught from an early age that if they do not have the newest fads, then they won't be welcome in the "in" crowds. And it doesn't stop there, "keeping up with the Jones's" is not just a phrase. But it's evident on a much larger scale as well.
The recent federal budget issue was a very clear example of how the classes are separated in this country, and personally, the way the possible government shut down played out, angered many of my associates. It was obvious that those on capital hill, who certainly live a lifestyle indicative of a higher class, have no idea what it is like for those of us who would be classified as lower middle class and working class. Holding the military's pay hostage in order to force an agenda to be passed is simply unforgivable. Withholding the pay of people who live from paycheck to paycheck, who make their bills, but with very little discretionary funds left over, if any, while those on capital hill, who enjoy the lifestyle of the upper middle class or higher, do not have their pay or livelihood jeopardized.
There's even a class separation in the military; between the enlisted and the officers. For good reasons, there is no fraternization between these two groups. Afterall, the integrity of the mission is always first priority. But, the officers have historically had larger, nicer homes; a larger, nicer place to gather (the officer's club); wives of officers were expected to carry themselves differently, with more "class", than enlisted wives.
But then you look around the community off post, and even the lowest ranking in the military realize that they are not the lowest class. The Route 1 corridor has long been known as the seedier part of the area, particularly around post. The minute you go out one of the gates onto Rt 1, especially the main Tulley gate, you see the kinds of living conditions that the lower class and poor live in. In any given day you will see atleast one or two homeless men walking along the roads outside post.
There is obviously a class structure in our country, and unfortunately often times the higher classes do not look fondly upon those in lower classes.
I agree with your thought that yes the lower class is not looked proudly upon by ther upper class, and it is something we cannot get rid off or eliminate from our society. I remember when I used to go to middle school, there were no school uniforms, but a year or so past by, most of the schools in that area (not a high class area) made it maditory to all students to where uniforms. The parents of that society voted for this decision at the PTO meetings. The main reason behind the decision was so all students were equal and so that no differnece in class status was shown. I don't know how well it worked, because it is way back in Arizona, but I would also want my daughter to go to a public school where there are uniforms. If your daughter had uniforms in school, maybe she wouldn't have asked for newer fasion cloths (not counting the technology). And, you see in the military, every one is dressed similar, the only differnce is shown is through the badges, just to show the level of authority.
ReplyDeleteIn India all schools have mandatory uniforms. I feel this is good becaise there is not distinction between stundents based on thieir class or financial conditions. I think all children have the right to be treated equally by their friends and should not be singled out based on what they wear. I think uniforms would make parents and children happier.
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