From rags to riches, is the American dream right, or at least every American's fantasy. Movies that are made about changes in social class have always been a timeless tale and a consistent hit at the box offices. What would life for me be like if I moved up in social class? I think it would depend on how I got there. For example, if I won the Lottery or earned a CEO position in a successful company would determine how I would spend my money and who would accept me into their social group. Like most people I want a better life for my children, just like my parents want for me. If I could afford to send my children to a better school then it would increase their chances of being better and fitting into the upper-class society. My parents were never in a position to send us to the upper schools and now as a parent I am also in no position to do so. My ascribed status is poor, but my parents over the last 15 years have been able to change their ascribed status to achieved status of middle class. My father is an Entrepreneur, with this profession; it can either bring in little money or a considerable amount. Successful figures of entrepreneurship are people like Donald Trump who achieved success through the real estate market(2), the retired CEO of Conagra Foods Richard Porter who grew up as a farm boy and was able to achieve success in one of the largest food companies in the US(3), and then there’s Oprah Winfrey who was born into poverty in rural Mississippi to a teenage single mother and later raised in an inner-city Milwaukee neighborhood, after many trials she achieved success in the television industry as a talk show host(4).
If I grew up in Middle class my childhood might have been very different. I would have been able to sign up for cheer at my jr. high school. My mother at the time told me I could not join even though I passed the tryouts because she didn’t have the money for the fees and uniforms involved with the program. I could have gone to a better school more adapt to handle my learning style ensuring me a better education that could help me develop the skills needed to achieve more success in the future. I could have had my college paid for without having to work as well as getting it done sooner so I wouldn’t have to be a mom or a wife while in college. I would have been able to be a traditional student. I just might have been able to go on cool vacations and see part of the world or have the opportunity to be an exchange student (something I have always dreamed of but now I have too many responsibilities to consider such things). However, I might have missed out on important family time and relationship development that I did have with my parents and siblings. We worked together on the chores, played together, and learned together. In a report written by Rachel Williams and independent school leader; says that middle-class parents enroll their kids into too many programs resulting in less family time and leading to a burn out(1). I am glad this wasn’t the case for me.
In middle-class status, I might have received an education anywhere from a master’s degree to a doctorate. My family’s views would be more set on education than what it was. When growing up my parent’s attitude was if you want to go to college then you will find a way to get there. If you get a Bachelors degree then we will be very pleased and pleasantly surprised, but it isn’t a need that must be met.
When I was younger I desired to be an actress. What little girl didn’t? I still have this secrete want to be a part of a movie, to play someone opposite of my natural character. I was even lucky enough to have drama in high school and acting lessons at a summer camp in California. I loved every minute of it. If money for my education wasn’t so scarce then I would have been able to focus on my talent and not have to go to school for a career that will make me just enough money to provide a roof over my kids heads and food in their bellies. Those needs would already be taken care of by my smart husband and family money I have willed to me. I could have achieved the status of a star and moved up in class or written several successful plays. I would be living in Hawaii on Maui and I could afford the best private school for my children and have the ability to fly off the island anytime for family reunions. I would definitely have had a little plastic surgery to keep me looking young, my children would be very well dressed and somewhat well mannered, and my husband will match me in youthful looks with an athletic build. We would be the picture perfect family that has achieved success. Others would see us as an example to follow.
My personality might not be too much different but I would imagine my attitude about being able to do anything would be brightened. My parenting style would be more open to letting my kids explore their interests at no worry for costs. However I fear that my obsession with my career could affect my parental ability diminishing my authority over my children and leaving it in the hands of teachers, nannies, and those whom I might not be able to trust. This could teach my children that self is more important than family creating a lonely life in my elder years without grand kids and the joy of loved ones around. How often does this happen? All too much I believe. I do believe that we can obtain any success we might desire but our desires can get diminish with every failure or distraction resulting in our ascribed and achieved status being the same throughout life. Distractions in life that can keep us from success could be in our health, our education or lack thereof, or it could be in seeing other things as more desirable and then changing our minds. Some success comes at a price and if we are willing to pay that price then we can have the cake. Some success is worth the price while others could lead to a life unfulfilled.
I do believe my opinion on this matter of rags to riches is affected by my social class. Being poor isn’t fun and dreaming makes it bearable. Those dreams of a higher achieved status drive my desires to do better, to try again, and to endure it well. The relative importance of ascription versus achievement in American society is essential to the way of life here. Competition in a school is enforced by teachers, pay grade is awarded by competition for a position, and we always want what we can’t have. It drives the consumer industry, breathing life into the middle-class way. My goal is to move up in class but to keep my moral beliefs of family being the most important the same. If I can do this without sacrificing my family then I will achieve it.
WORKS CITED:
1. Rachel Williams; http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/may/12/middle-class-children-too-busy
2. Donald Trump; http://www.trump.com/
3. Richard Porter; he is a personal family friend.
4. Oprah Winfrey; http://www.oprah.com/index.html
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