Social Class: Is Mobility an Option?
by Leah Kelly
Fussell’s ability to develop his thoughts and findings into a well-written depiction of the American social class system and the issues surrounding it is evident throughout his text. But the following passage sets the mood for the audience concerning the myth Americans are faced with from an early age.
“The special hazards attending the class situation in America, where movement appears so fluid and where the prizes seem available to anyone who’s lucky, are disappointment, and, following close on that, envy. Because the myth conveys the impression that you can readily earn your way upward, disillusion and bitterness are particularly strong when you find yourself trapped in a class system you’ve been half persuaded isn’t important.”
Fussell’s ability to get to the heart of the problem is portrayed in this paragraph. It is not the issue of which class you are in, it’s the problem that you will never be able to shift easily from class to class like America insists you can. The American Dream is no longer a reality for members of social classes. Those who believe that this is possible will suffer disappointment first and then envy. One’s ability to move freely through the classes is not a likely occurrence. When someone unknowingly finds this out they become disappointed and unsatisfied with how America gives them false hope. Envy is conveyed soon after this facade is discovered. A person’s envy will occur when their own status is cemented for them. The destitute will look to the proles and the proles will look to the middles and so on and so forth. The process will continue until you reach the upper middle and beyond. There they do not worry about being higher up but they do worry about dropping down a class. It is a constant struggle for any class to maintain their status they have presently while still hoping to advance. It is important to notice the anguish this paragraph describes. It is evident that this is a stage that most, if not all, people go through who are middle class or lower. At first there is hope, next comes realization and then finally despair. This happens in sequence throughout one’s life.
When we are young we are given the idea that we can conquer the world, do anything we want. As we get older and retain more knowledge on the facts we start to learn that this is not notably so. Thus, we feel frustration and resentment. Fussell acknowledges this in his book but addressing the subject matter head on. It is important to realize this happens to everyone. Everyone in this course should be able to remember a moment in his or her life where this process occurred. It may be a recent situation or it could be from early childhood but it is apparent. Our hopes and dreams of a better life and social class are diminished causing agony and despair. But Fussell tries to make the reader understand if someone has ever felt this way that he or she is not alone.
This availing moment helps to distinguish the problem for social class and status among Americans. Without this special indication many might overlook the issue at hand. This passage helps to establish the importance of the problem and the way people react to it. The paragraph is the prelude to it. It helps to direct people into the mindset to learn about the different ways classes look, speak, read and decorate their homes.
Class – A Guide Through the American Status System, helps to comprehend the status in our country. Fussell brings up issues that everyone might think of but none dare to speak of. He makes it a point for the reader to know that this topic is like a black sheep of a family; no one likes to acknowledge it exists among Americans. Although the book is dated and the examples are not current, the concepts are still accurate. Contemporary Culture is similar to Fussell’s perception of social class but there seems to be a higher chance for vertical mobility. With recessions and economical booms, shifts can occur. However, much like Fussell stated in his book, it is not just about income, there are many other factors included with class status.
The Oprah Show had an entire segment devoted to social class as Americans see it. She had many guests explain their upsets given the recent recession. One of the guests, Haley, spoke how her status had suffered with the loss of her job. This ties into the excerpt from Fussell’s book. Americans start to realize that their class status is being left in the dust, leaving behind hopelessness and concern.
Much like Fussell’s book, a video called Social Class in America (1957), addresses the same issue of the difficulties crossing class boundaries. This short video follows three young men who were born in the 1950’s struggling in their social class. Gill Aims was born in a high class, Ted Eastwood is a middle class person and David Bentin is in the lower class. While growing up they are faced with social struggles to follow in their ascribed status. However, Ted is faced with the decision to branch out, working hard he was able to move up in his class. He established an achieved status. These two terms, ascribed and achieved where not mentioned in Fussell’s book but they are interesting to think about. It is common, much like the video explains, to be born with a status. However a person can gain a new status with his or her talents, character, ability and geographic mobility. Thus, becoming an ascribed status. Social Class in America (1957) and Fussell’s Class both share the same opinion – all citizens are born equal and legal before the law but not the same by standards of class. There have always been levels of social class, whether it is a three-tiered classification or Fussell’s nine-class division, causing the separation among Americans.
Today’s standards of social class and the American dream are much like they were before in the 1980’s when Fussell wrote his book. Issues still arise concerning the social status and class of Americans. There will always be a status continuum ranging from the ‘upper-out-of-sight’ all the way down to ‘bottom-out-of-sight’. America is the land of possibility for all who wish to obtain it but as time goes on the realization sets in and we are left with nothing more than disappointment and envy for what could have been.
Fussell’s book is outdated. I think a lot of his ideas still ring true (houses, lawn care, weight, appearance, clothing), but he places too much emphasis on class. I highly disagree with his idea that people are stuck in the class they were born in. Maybe a majority of Americans are, but those who aspire and have the means (scholarships, etc) to do more, can and will get out of their class. Also, I disagree that middle-class people are constantly worried about their status. In my mind, status isn’t that big of a deal. I work hard and have motivation to reach my goals, so why should I be scared to become low-class?
I believe Fussell puts a lot more emphasis on class than most Americans. He seemed to think it was very important, and middle class people were insecure and unhappy with their status. My feelings as a middle-class American have been opposite of what he describes. My parents had no money when they got married, but my father opened his own business, and could afford to raise 5 kids, and to support my mom so she could stay home and take care of us. We live in a 5-bedroom house in the suburbs and have nice things.
I appreciate everything I have, and so does the rest of my family. People may be born into a lower-class, but I don’t believe they have to stay that way. I think a person’s roots play a part in the person they are, but they don’t have to be that person. Fussell would probably say I haven’t reached the “realization” phase yet, but I disagree.
A person is a product of their environment. However, there will always be people that aspire to be more than what their parents are. If someone’s parents work their entire lives to give their child a good education, and the child takes that opportunity and gets a good job, there is no reason they have to stay in the lower-class. I am well-aware that money only plays a small part in your class, but I don’t know any lawyers or doctors who are lower-class. If you are low-class and go away to college on a scholarship, you are then around people in a higher class than yourself, and you learn to act the way that they do.
Comment by vlasisv1 — January 29, 2010 @ 6:47 pm
I think that you summed this social class book up perfectly, when you said, “All citizens are born equal and legal before the law, but not the same by standards of class.” I feel that Fussell focused on everyone wanting to be a better class that what they already are. I think that it is every parents dream for their child to do the best that they can, but class isn’t important, as long as you’re happy with what you are doing.
America is a place where you have opportunities and you are able to better yourself if that is what you choose. Every person has the chance to get an education past high school through financial aid, scholarships, and grants. But I also know that class is important to some people who need to have the best of everything, and want people to know what they have. I don’t think that is a large portion of American’s.
The majority of American’s work hard for what they have, and in today’s society most people are changing what is important to them. I don’t think that right now social class is important. I think today it is important that you have a job, and you are able to make a living. I also think that people are focusing less on material things and refocusing to what is important. Today, every American is born equal and legal before the law, and they are similar by standers of class, because of our economic situation.
Comment by dunnm1 — January 30, 2010 @ 11:06 am
Until reading this book I never thought twice about the different classes. I knew it existed but to me never mattered. Now I find myself putting people I know or see in class sections. I do not think an emphasis should be put on classes at all. We should be proud of our background and where we come from, and not try to change who we are or how we act to fit in to a higher class.
My family story is similar to vlasisv1. My dad grew up dirt poor, started his own business and now makes a great living. Myself and my siblings have always had the privilege of having all the nicer things we wanted. My mom had never had to work and could stay home to raise us kids. Although my mom and dad are financially stable now, they never have forgotten where they came from, they are still the same people with or without the nice things.
Reading this book reminded me of the movie, Titanic, in some ways. There was a very noticeable difference between Jack and Rose’s backgrounds. Rose’s peers made the class difference crystal clear to Jack when he joined them for dinner. Jack didn’t care to be one of them though. He was happy in the class he was in, just great full to have the experience. I do not think anyone should get so caught up in the class they happen to fall in, if they are happy and doing the best they can in life where they are ranked shouldn’t matter.
This book did open my eyes and help me realize some things I was blind to, but I feel he was negative about every different class he talked about. Nothing positive was said. I respect Fussell’s opinion but am not sure if I agree with him.
Comment by behrensa1 — January 30, 2010 @ 1:00 pm
In the last blog post about the movie and how that also said it is very difficult to move into a higher social class, I shared a story about my father and how he came from a very low class and his biggest goal in life was to provide my family a much better way of living than he did growing up. He did everything he could to pursue a better life for himself and I truly believe he did come out on top.
Fussell does discuss social class in America in his book to the “tee.” He has very good back up information to what he believes. I do disagree that people can try and come out of a lower class but never can overcome their social class background. People today should teach their children to always strive for the best and overcome any struggles they might face in life because you should only want whats best for your children. I do not think anyone should tell their children other wise so they understand the realization and failures in life when they are growing up. If I was not told as a child to always try my best no matter what and to never give up, then I honestly don’t think I would be where I am today, even if I will never become “high class,” I am okay with that.
My husband’s cousin lives in San Diego and they are very wealthy and I consider them upper class. I met their 9 year old daughter for the first time on Christmas and it just amazed me how different she is than other 9 year old children. She is being raised to be very upper class. She doesn’t have much fun and acts and talks like an adult. It hurt me inside to see this little girl watching the other children play and giving them strange looks, like she is better than them, and not being able to be a kid. I would much rather have my childhood and having fun and just being a kid, not worrying about what others think of me and not trying so hard to be upper class.
Fussell did help me realize that class is not only how much money you have but much more comes into play. He gave an example of how a high school teacher is more lower class than a college professor because the high school teacher is watched over more, so that determines they are considered lower class than a professor. Another example he used was classes for playing instruments. All these little things, I have never thought about determining your social class but after reading this book, it has got me thinking a lot more!
Comment by gibsonj2 — January 30, 2010 @ 2:29 pm
In reply to vlasisv1 comments, I believe that people are stuck in the class that they were born into. The point is that a majority of Americans can’t move up from the class that they were in. If you’re in the lower class then you probably don’t have the means to move up, and you are probably ill informed about using different means in order to help you move (Scholarships). That is why people love to hear those stories about the rare person who “pulled himself up by his boot straps” and moved up a class, the guy who was the first person to go to college after the past 3 generations did not. I believe status is important in describing class because for example if you look at someone who for example is a member of the lower class and they played the lottery and won (the upper class would most likely not even consider playing the lottery) they now have money but the way in which they spend and how they act with it will still say lower class. Or as talked about above they get a scholarship and make it to college, you still have those learned attributes that associate with you to that class and most likely you will find yourself associating with other people like you who are also lower class but got a scholarship and made it. If you were to change your behaviors or status it would probably take years to do so.
Comment by toebbej2 — January 30, 2010 @ 6:20 pm
I agree that Fussell’s book is outdated. But some things he says still exist and are very much true. People do care about appearance, clothing, housing, etc. But it does not always have to be about class. Everyone is put into a class but they do not have to stay in that class there whole lives. You can work, go to school, and do whatever it takes to get your life where you want it to be. Leah spoke of the Oprah show on Class, I saw that episode. People were expressing there situations, and most of the people were not in the highest class. They had lost their job because of the recession. There status is low. They feel like just giving up because nothing is going right in their life. This can cause so much stress on people that they loose hope. Also, it is true that when we are young people do give us the impression that we can do anything, but this is so wrong in my opinion. Nothing comes easy you have to work for it. Lastly, I believe mobility is a option but not for everyone. You have to have the financial support and the resources to become mobile. So, the higher the class your in your more likely to make the jump. However, there is so much help, and so many resources out there that anyone can get mobile.
Comment by johnsond7 — January 30, 2010 @ 6:27 pm
I do believe Fussell’s outlook on class status is fairly accurate. However I agree that most Americans do not place that much emphasis on class status as Fussell implies. My parents for example consider themselves middle-class, and do not aspire to raise their class status. They worry more about falling in class. They only wish that their children do better than they did. I believe this is true for most American families. Parents are content in the class status they were born in, however they hope their children are able to raise their class status.
Comment by backd — January 30, 2010 @ 6:45 pm
Fussell’s book, Class, was a very interesting. While much of what he said deemed true, I do agree with Kelly, that most of the material seemed a bit outdated. Some of his ideas though seem to have remained the same for some time now. There were many things that stood out to me. First, Fussell says” actually you reveal a great deal about your social class by the amount of annoyance or fury you feel when the subject is brought up.” This means that you are most likely middle class worried about slipping to a lower status. Most upper class people are proud to talk about status and are secure where they stand.
In response to gibsonj2’s comments on meeting her husbands cousin, the movie Parenthood comes to mind. Here we see how one family is raising their kids so freely and the kids does some really off the wall things. While the other is raising their only child to be an adult at the age of seven. It was easy to see how judgmental the parents were about several factors that don’t involve them.
I also believe that the three-tiered with nine classes, seems to be more realistic, rather than just squeezing people into five classes. Fussell went into great detail on his view of each class giving a harsh look and examples of how each group has their separate issues dealing with their class. When speaking about the middle and upper class, he mentions that the upper class find it an insult when complimented on their lavish house or how wonderful the meal was, because they wouldn’t serve anything less that the best. He also goes onto describe tendencies of high proles need to spend money they might not necessarily have on things such as tv’s and the top models of everything. This constant need to be “better” reminds me of that movie The Stepford Wives. I like how Fussell says, “If you find an American who feels entirely class secure stuff and exhibit him.”
This book has left me with, many thoughts that I previously hadn’t entertained. With the many factors and definitions that come with class, I don’t think we will ever all been created equal as individuals.
Comment by wagnerla22 — February 1, 2010 @ 11:57 pm
I am going to have to agree that Fussell’s book is outdated and though much of it is true on how we judge people I do not believe he is right about not being able to move out of the class you were born in. The environment that a person is raised in is a product of how they will turn out. My parents are in the lower class status but I guess I would consider my siblings and myself middle class. We saw the struggles that our parents had and made to give us everything that we could want and we wanted an easier life style than working all the time to “just get by”. This has given us a different perspective on life and how things work but it has made each of us better people and we do not take things for granted. I agree with toebbej2 I do find myself associating with those of the upbringing as I had, but that is more of a personality thing than a social. I want to be around people that understand where and what I come from.
I do not know anyone that openly tells people that they are concerned about what class they are in or might end up in, but they are concerned about bills and work, whether they will continue to have a job. I honestly believe that most Americans today are content in what class they are in as long as they are happy and getting by on their standards.
Comment by griffithap — February 2, 2010 @ 6:25 pm
I for one believe that while one can move outward and upward from the class they were born in that one is limited in how far upward they might move by many factors. First is education. It is difficult to move amont the wealthy if you are education at what the rich call a cow college. A cow college is seen as one outside the select elite schools such as the Ivy League schools or on the west coast, Standford or UCLA. For one thing, the speech patterns are different. A military Academy may touch the fringe because they educate future officers in proper manners of social settings.
A second or even a third language may help but only if it is European, even better if it is Latin or Greek. You can score big points if you can read the Koran in Arabic. Movement from the lower classes to the middle classes is less difficult but a white collar (Professional) job makes it easier. This excludes teachers unless that are Principle or higher. Suggested; Air traffic control, college professor or medical doctor are fields are best. Air line pilots work also.
Thus, mobility is possible but within limits. Winning the lottery will not earn you a place of acceptance among the rich.
Comment by mathesj1 — February 5, 2010 @ 2:52 pm
I for one believe that while one can move outward and upward from the class they were born in that one is limited in how far upward they might move by many factors. First is education. It is difficult to move among the wealthy if you are educated at what the rich call a cow college. A cow college is viewed as one outside the select elite schools such as the Ivy League schools or on the west coast, Standford or UCLA. For one thing, the speech patterns are different. A military Academy may touch the fringe because they educate future officers in proper manners of social settings.
A second or even a third language may help but only if it is European, even better if it is Latin or Greek. You can score big points if you can read the Koran in Arabic. Movement from the lower classes to the middle classes is less difficult but a white collar (Professional) job makes it easier. This excludes teachers unless that are Principle or higher. Suggested; Air traffic control, college professor or medical doctor are the fields that are best. Air line pilots’ work also.
Thus, mobility is possible but within limits. Winning the lottery will not earn you a place of acceptance among the rich.
Comment by mathesj1 — February 5, 2010 @ 2:55 pm
I believe that mobility is an option but it is more difficult for those who are in a lower class family. The resources that a person may need to make advances are most likely not available. Although it is harder for lower class, it is still possible. I believe that if you do have the things like financial support you can have an easier time moving up and following your American dreams.
In my family my parents didn’t emphasize class, they just wanted us to do better than they did and advance as far as we can, especially in education. They taught us to go after our dreams. Even though we are not rich, so far none of my siblings have been left with disappointment or envy as Fussell suggests. We are moving up and doing things my parents weren’t able to.
Comment by davism3 — February 6, 2010 @ 9:48 pm