Only freedom will do

Karmacat

gallygirl wrote: »

I read a good definition of class relating to university:
The underclass never think of university
The working class hope their children might go to university
The middle class assume their children will go to university
The upper class know their children will go to their old college
In general I think class is as much about attitude and expectations as money and lifestyle.

Gally, I love this :j that was me growing up, the working class hopeful bit ... my nephews and niece were all of the middle class assumption bit (though my brother's kids got free school meals and they were desperately poor) ... Class isn't fixed like it used to be, I agree with you that attitude and expectations play a part too now.

gallygirl wrote: »

Me too - but turned out differently :rotfl:.

That was about the penniless/well educated thing - do tell how it turned out for you :kisses3:

AlexLK

Far too many people are confused about the difference between being an educated working class person and being middle class. Unfortunately, in recent years "working class" has become something of a dirty word. I think most of the "middle class but poor" on here are actually either working class or lower middle class.


In Britain, I think most would agree upper class means somebody of noble origins with money that has been in their family for many generations? One rung down, the upper-middle, is where things begin to become a little more subjective. To some upper-middle basically means everything upper class does but without the title, to others upper-middle can mean anyone that went to a public school, occasionally mixes with titled gentry and will inherit a decent sized estate. Things become even more complicated once we reach the so-called "middle-middle" and "lower-middle".


ETA: Whilst I agree class is not all about money, a certain amount is required to access certain things expected of a middle class lifestyle. Social climbers cannot move beyond being "middle-middle" as their background would prevent them from being "upper-middle" no matter the amount of money and what social values they had.

edinburgher

Far too many people are confused about the difference between being an educated working class person and being middle class.

I think that you think about this topic a lot more than I do!

Alchemilla

Don't we define our own class once we become adults?

edinburgher

Next on being an INFJ - feeling guilty for leaving neutral feedback on Am@azon even though it was fully warranted :rotfl:

AlexLK

edinburgher wrote: »

I think that you think about this topic a lot more than I do!

.

Alchemilla wrote: »

Don't we define our own class once we become adults?

Only to a certain extent. In adulthood one can go from working to about middle-middle and vice versa. Upper-middle is more dependent upon family situation.

unhappy_shopper

I work for my living, so I am definitely 'working class'. Other classes mentioned above, I don't care. Why do we slot ourselves into these 'classes' ?

edinburgher

Why do we slot ourselves into these 'classes' ?

!!!!!! and giggles?

ljaneyr

edinburgher wrote: »

Next on being an INFJ - feeling guilty for leaving neutral feedback on Am@azon even though it was fully warranted :rotfl:

I can identify with that!

edinburgher wrote: »

!!!!!! and giggles?

Can't believe adding an 's' to the end allows you to swear on here. I was really surprised to read that :rotfl:


The whole class thing is really interesting and I definitely think attitude plays as important a part as money, although maybe not in the upper classes as Alex said.

My mum is definitely 'middle class' - she had a live in maid when she was growing up! :eek: But my dad came form dirt poor origins, left school at 14 to become an apprentice and worked his way up to a very well paid management position in a successful motor company. However, his early retirement and a previous divorce, not to mention my mum's inability to manage money and stick to a budget meant, that we never had any money.

The attitudes still remains though, if not the wealth.

I hope that made any sense, I'm very tired...

Alchemilla

I am working class because I am a schoolteacher.

Soon there will be a whole new underclass created for us. Whinge whinge.

Ed. Who has a siggy with Vanguard in it, and is this the same company as they go on about MMM?