To obtain further insight about social class and social systems in our current society, I developed an interview to survey an outside opinion.
How would you define social class?
I think most people would view it as a division based solely on financial means when really it probably involves a combination of wealth, salary, level of education, power and peer group.
Do you believe that social class is a part of our current society?
Is it real, or is class a man-made concept?
Yes. I think it is part of our current society but agree it is purely human-made concept as the institutions and constructs all derive from human activities and types of organizational structures in place.
Is class an important part of everyday life?
If you take my definition of class then I would say yes. Purchasing power and positional authority have a major impact on how we live our lives on a daily basis and the level of autonomy we have.
How can social class and class stereotypes affect an individual?
I believe they can be very limiting and negative in many ways. If you grow up believing you are less than or inferior to others this has a negative impact and often becomes self-fulfilling.
Explain how social class has affected your life or the life of someone close to you.
I grew up in what would be considered the upper middle social class. Both my parents have university degrees and made enough money to provide an above average lifestyle for my brothers and I. We lived in a town where most people’s families would be considered lower income or poor. Many of my friends in that town who were very bright didn’t finish high school because they viewed themselves as “not the kind of person who goes to college or university”. They are now caught in the cycle of lower incomes and low expectations for themselves and their own children.
Many people believe in the American dream, which states that everyone has an equal opportunity to become successful, and claim that class is fictional.
What do you think about this?
I disagree with the ‘equal’ part. I had tremendous advantages over friends from my town whose parents didn’t value education or have the means to support their children the way I was supported. This doesn’t mean that people can’t rise above the circumstances they are born in but it certainly isn’t equal.
Classism and cliques are present everywhere and, as there are specific indicators of class such as clothing, speech, mannerisms, and even teeth, people are judged by their appearances.
Is a person defined by their class? How? Do you believe this will ever change?
I don’t believe a person is defined by their class but I do believe, sadly, they are often judged by it. No I don’t believe it will change. It has been around for as long as history has been recorded I suspect even before.
How, in your opinion, are gender role stereotypes present in current society?
Do they play an influential role? Are they a positive or negative influence? Does his need to change?
The situation is much better in Canada than in other parts of the world but yes I believe gender stereotypes are still present and are responsible, in part, for the inequity in pay between women and men.
This is negative and needs to change.
Most people are not comfortable discussing social class or social stereotypes.
Explain how a novel with these subjects as main themes might be a good alternative to provoke critical thought about them?
Story telling is a great way to influence the thoughts of others. Simply telling people what to think isn’t a sophisticated change strategy and rarely works. Through the use of a novel or story people can be influenced by ones thoughts and beliefs while still feeling they came to the conclusions themselves.
** This interview is courtesy of Mr. Ronald Ferguson. Thank you very much for your time and insight.
How would you define social class?
I think most people would view it as a division based solely on financial means when really it probably involves a combination of wealth, salary, level of education, power and peer group.
Do you believe that social class is a part of our current society?
Is it real, or is class a man-made concept?
Yes. I think it is part of our current society but agree it is purely human-made concept as the institutions and constructs all derive from human activities and types of organizational structures in place.
Is class an important part of everyday life?
If you take my definition of class then I would say yes. Purchasing power and positional authority have a major impact on how we live our lives on a daily basis and the level of autonomy we have.
How can social class and class stereotypes affect an individual?
I believe they can be very limiting and negative in many ways. If you grow up believing you are less than or inferior to others this has a negative impact and often becomes self-fulfilling.
Explain how social class has affected your life or the life of someone close to you.
I grew up in what would be considered the upper middle social class. Both my parents have university degrees and made enough money to provide an above average lifestyle for my brothers and I. We lived in a town where most people’s families would be considered lower income or poor. Many of my friends in that town who were very bright didn’t finish high school because they viewed themselves as “not the kind of person who goes to college or university”. They are now caught in the cycle of lower incomes and low expectations for themselves and their own children.
Many people believe in the American dream, which states that everyone has an equal opportunity to become successful, and claim that class is fictional.
What do you think about this?
I disagree with the ‘equal’ part. I had tremendous advantages over friends from my town whose parents didn’t value education or have the means to support their children the way I was supported. This doesn’t mean that people can’t rise above the circumstances they are born in but it certainly isn’t equal.
Classism and cliques are present everywhere and, as there are specific indicators of class such as clothing, speech, mannerisms, and even teeth, people are judged by their appearances.
Is a person defined by their class? How? Do you believe this will ever change?
I don’t believe a person is defined by their class but I do believe, sadly, they are often judged by it. No I don’t believe it will change. It has been around for as long as history has been recorded I suspect even before.
How, in your opinion, are gender role stereotypes present in current society?
Do they play an influential role? Are they a positive or negative influence? Does his need to change?
The situation is much better in Canada than in other parts of the world but yes I believe gender stereotypes are still present and are responsible, in part, for the inequity in pay between women and men.
This is negative and needs to change.
Most people are not comfortable discussing social class or social stereotypes.
Explain how a novel with these subjects as main themes might be a good alternative to provoke critical thought about them?
Story telling is a great way to influence the thoughts of others. Simply telling people what to think isn’t a sophisticated change strategy and rarely works. Through the use of a novel or story people can be influenced by ones thoughts and beliefs while still feeling they came to the conclusions themselves.
** This interview is courtesy of Mr. Ronald Ferguson. Thank you very much for your time and insight.