Social class has many different measures in America. We group ourselves with those that are most similar to us, those we have grown up with, those with the same background, and those we feel the most comfortable with. We can be defined by what we do, how much we make and our goals and aspirations. As we grow up we separate ourselves, often unconsciously, from people that don't fit in our group, who don't fit in our social class. America is a country divided by class, split by thousand different social distinctions: the kind of neighborhood you live in, how far you got in school, what you eat, the way you wear your hair - often times, hard to see. Many find social class to be a hard topic to acknowledge, because then there is a sense of inequality.
The documentary People Like Us: How to Marry the Rich breaks it down on how to successfully blend in with the upper class. The upper middle class is characterized as faster paced with more opportunities, while the working class may stay in the same factory they've been working in for years. Some factors to blending in include which fork you use, your name, what you chose to drink and wearing bright,loud colors. When having a conversation with the upper class, one is to stand 16 - 19 inches apart. It is important not to be standoffish or show any sign of intimidation, that alone is a red flag to the upper class.
People Like Us: Tammy's Story follows the struggles of Tammy Crabtree's life. She lives in a run down trailer, has two boys, works at Burger King as a janitor, and walks 10.5 miles to and from work because she doesn't have a car or license. While walking to work, people will yell "Hey trashy bitch..what are you doing?" She said that it's not her fault she's poor, she grew up this way. Her dad worked hard for his 22 kids, and he would be proud of her today for trying. Her oldest son, Matt, is embarrassed of the trailer and his mother. Although he is in the same class as his mom and brother, he tries to act like he's not to impress his friends.
"All I want is a life I can be happy, but right now I cant because of the way people treat me, and the way my kids treat me." - Tammy Crabtree
Will the social class you were born and raised in forever be your class? Or can you move from working class to upper class? Lower class to middle class? Or even better lower class or upper class? We've seen movies about the poor becoming rich and completely transforming their life, but what is the likelihood of this?
I believe it is all about your motivation and the resources that you are given or seek out to find. For instance, unless Tammy actively sets out to find a better way of living, then she will forever be living in the lower class. If her son Matt continues with his dreams of going to college and becoming successful, he is already halfway there. It might take a lot more effort and struggles than one in working, middle or upper class, but it IS possible.
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