Descrimination because of class

[stormcris]

Do you feel people still descriminate because of a persons class or job?

I hear so much about racism; but have we learned to not judge people on the amount of money and job or is that still considered a taboo subject to discuss openly and thus is only done behind closed doors?

[iluvmommyhood58]

Hmm. Thoughtful question. Sometimes I feel like people don't approve of me because I decided to stay home with my kids. I always get that remark: "Well, staying home with the kids can be hard work too, I guess," in a real sympathetic tone as if they feel sorry for me because I don't have a career and thus wouldn't feel fulfilled with my life. Even my MIL talks about it often as if she's constantly trying to find ways to justify why it's good that I do. (She always worked, had to... and wishes she could have stayed home) I don't consider myself a stupid person and the people who know me don't either. My IQ is pretty "up there"... as if that makes me worth more or less. But, I think people judge all the time based on all kinds of criteria. Usually it's criteria based upon their own lives and expectations. Why wouldn't class and job fall in there?

[mrs_khan07]

Yep, same here. I love being a stay at home mom. Sure, sometimes I'm dying to get out of the house but I still love it. I have been working since I was 12 years old, until I was 19. I am now taking a break and loving it. I always hated the feeling of having to go to work or bear the consequences. I always felt like a honey bee. I might work again but not until the kid(s?) are grown. And I get the looks and tones too. Even from my husband who is convinced that it's the easiest job in the world. He never understands why I would be stressed about anything.

Quoting iluvmommyhood58:

Hmm. Thoughtful question. Sometimes I feel like people don't approve of me because I decided to stay home with my kids. I always get that remark: "Well, staying home with the kids can be hard work too, I guess," in a real sympathetic tone as if they feel sorry for me because I don't have a career and thus wouldn't feel fulfilled with my life. Even my MIL talks about it often as if she's constantly trying to find ways to justify why it's good that I do. (She always worked, had to... and wishes she could have stayed home) I don't consider myself a stupid person and the people who know me don't either. My IQ is pretty "up there"... as if that makes me worth more or less. But, I think people judge all the time based on all kinds of criteria. Usually it's criteria based upon their own lives and expectations. Why wouldn't class and job fall in there?

[Happytime]

Quoting stormcris:

Do you feel people still descriminate because of a persons class or job?

I hear so much about racism; but have we learned to not judge people on the amount of money and job or is that still considered a taboo subject to discuss openly and thus is only done behind closed doors?

Its the new Class warfare, pushed on use by our leaders so they can stay in power. Greed and Envy... just look at what happened in this past election , Obama pulled out the 250K a year and all of a sudden we have people taking buss tours infront of AIG CEO's houses.

[Mom2LiamNMolly]

I DO think people do that.. although not as much where I live as they did in SoCal... Sun Valley/Ketchum is a resort town that is VERY kicked... celebs walk down the street and you really don't know them with no make-up and such... the uber-rich blend in with the poor folks and everyone gets along.... My sons God Father is a famous celeb and non one bugs him here.... and yet he had us average folks overfor BBQ's

[stormcris]

That sounds very nice.

Quoting Mom2LiamNMolly:

I DO think people do that.. although not as much where I live as they did in SoCal... Sun Valley/Ketchum is a resort town that is VERY kicked... celebs walk down the street and you really don't know them with no make-up and such... the uber-rich blend in with the poor folks and everyone gets along.... My sons God Father is a famous celeb and non one bugs him here.... and yet he had us average folks overfor BBQ's

[jagrus]

This is a Human Resources Issue. Desparate Treatment. Discriminating against a person becasue of race, sexual orientation, gender. It is unlawful to discrimate because of disparate class.

[athenax3]

I think people definitely discriminate and make wide, general, sweeping assumptions about others based on income or class indicators- and it's widely accepted and seemingly even encouraged.

And what's worse is if you don't jump on the bandwagon of disparagement and cruelty towards someone based on their percieved "status" then you too are assumed to be a part of this "lower class level"

Just yesterday or the day before I was in a discussion about PA (the neverending discussion on cm) and because I wasn't a bitch about it some moron made the assumption that I TOO MUST surely be a recipient of PA  (she stated she was paying for ME, lol-)and lack housing and education- not because I had said anything that indicated such, merely because I wasn't game for tormenting another individual based on it. That is sad, that it's seen as some sort of indication of your own status, or lack thereof,  if you aren't willing to jump on the high horse and list your assets or credentials- not to mention just plain annoying, lol....

[stormcris]

That is just sad and really perhaps the worst assertion I have come across. Apparently she missed premote the general welfare part of the constitution.

Quoting athenax3:

I think people definitely discriminate and make wide, general, sweeping assumptions about others based on income or class indicators- and it's widely accepted and seemingly even encouraged.

And what's worse is if you don't jump on the bandwagon of disparagement and cruelty towards someone based on their percieved "status" then you too are assumed to be a part of this "lower class level"

Just yesterday or the day before I was in a discussion about PA (the neverending discussion on cm) and because I wasn't a bitch about it some moron made the assumption that I TOO MUST surely be a recipient of PA  (she stated she was paying for ME, lol-)and lack housing and education- not because I had said anything that indicated such, merely because I wasn't game for tormenting another individual based on it. That is sad, that it's seen as some sort of indication of your own status, or lack thereof,  if you aren't willing to jump on the high horse and list your assets or credentials- not to mention just plain annoying, lol....

[tvschiulaz]

Do people discriminate about class, sure.  The upper class generally do not associate with us lowly, or even middle classes just because our "tastes" are different.  Is there discrimination because of the work you do?  Of course there is!  My husband is a blue collar worker; I am a white collar worker.  One does not understand the other, at all.  He does not understand why I have to work the hours I do.  I do not understand why they have to continue to lay him off because there is never "enough work" to go around.  And the beat goes on girls.

What I do not understand is how the sahm or the working mom argument is a discriminatory issue?

[spoiled_wife]

Classism is alive and well in the good of US of A.

Actually. It's been thriving and growing in the past couple of decades.

People are judged and  filed away in some category due to their jobs or socio-economic status.  It's BS, but it is very true.

Discussing money is only a taboo subject if you are discussing how much money you have, how much you spend, ect.  Discussing money doesn't seem to be a taboo if you are discussing how hard you have it, how little you spend, how little you can get by with spending, or how little money you have in general.

Classism works both ways sadly.

Just as many people make classifications in regards to people with money (or who are perceived to have money)  as they do people without money (or who are perceived as not having money).

People do rank others in terms of their jobs.. A doctor is seen in higher regard than a plumber. But our society has to have both.. And lot's of plumbers make almost as much money as some doctors. But the perception of the masses is that the doctor is more worthy, is needed more and is for some reason a higher social class.

Classism will not disappear or go away in this country. We live in a society based on capitalism amd marterialism..   As long as that is so. There will always be those who see themselves as a higher class and see others as a lower class.

Just here at CM. I have seen women, when discussing taxes/PA and subjects of that ilk, flat out say that they like having a class based society and want to keep it that way.

Classism sadly is as American as apple pie and has always been a part of our country.. From our Founding Fathers to today. Class & classism has always played a part in our society, for good or for ill.