Journal 5: Loewen Chap 7

In this article the author's main point is that in schools there is no textbook or teachings that describe to students the current or ongoing troubles in our economy that define which social class we belong to. Social class is defined as a broad group in society having common economic, cultural, or political status. Loewen also mentions that students or younger children maybe dont understand why they are where they are now, social class speaking. Why dont their parents drive as nice of a car as their friends mom? On the bottom of page 203 the author states that "social class is the single most important variable in society." I agree with him completely our social class not only affects our parents, but childrens social lives when they are in grade school. Sadly, it affects the friends you have, the way others think of you and even the way you feel about your self. I honestly cant remember learing about or reading anything about social classes in grade school and yet I witnessed every kind of discrimination against kids who were "different". It is really sad to look back on now, because although I wasnt rich I was never picked on, or looked at and made fun of, I never went hungry or was cold at night, and I also was never a child who questioned their social class (it was probably just too complex for me) but I cannot imagine being a child who was, thats rough. Loewen summarizes the article really in a way that blames our social class now on our long gone ancestors who established our families in America. Although I do not so much buy into the idea that you are where you are now because of bad luck and tough breaks in the past (because we all choose where we go in life and how we get there) I will however agree that children are helpless. Page 204 compares rich babies to poor ones, and their home environment when they leave the hospital. It is true that children are innocent, they cannot choose which situation to be born into, thus they continue on the path they were born into. Grade school starts and the poorer child has to attend a crowded public school where he or she is only a number, and the more rich children have the privelage of a private school or a public school in a better funded city. The trend continues with drop out rates, college enrollment rates and than to the job world and becomes as Loewen states on page 205 "replicated into the next generation". The article continues with lower class men being drafted to Vietnam. The rich living longer than the poor and being given more respect than the less fortunate. I feel that although this should be taught in schools because it is important for students to understand before they graduate grade school (I am not sure I understand the concept now), along the line somewhere was there not someone who worked really hard to become wealthy? I understand that their wealth contributes to their childrens or grandchildrens laziness now, but is it wrong to consider social class earned? And if social class can be earned through working hard and shooting for the stars who will be the first in the family of a lower social class to realize they can make the difference in their families lives. Not just right now, but for generations.