For the past few weeks in class we have been talking about social class, and I found a connection in this week's episode of Glee. For those of you who don't watch it, it's a show that follows around various members of a high school glee club in their quest to nationals, and in their personal lives.
This week, Sam, a popular and well-liked character, starts having to wear hand-me-downs and live with his family in a motel room because his dad lost his job. While Sam's appearance doesn't change drastically, his interactions with others change. He starts accepting favors from his friends (new clothes and help babysitting his siblings), but they still love him and continue to support him. So, do you think Sam changed social classes in the episode? In class, some people were saying that income and money are not the only reasons why someone could be considered "upper class". They argued that a person with a lower income could be considered upper class if they gave off the appearance of being upper class by having great social connections and appearing smart and highly educated.
Sam still has the appearance, education level, and social connections of a middle class person, but his family has the income of someone in a lower class. Is it possible that Sam is still middle class because he doesn't have the stereotypical "lower class" traits?
Emma,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, good connection! I watched Glee this week too, and the connection didn't even register with me...whoops. But you bring up a great point. Sam still has his education, his friends, his family, but is he lower class? I would argue yes. His family's income is low, they lost their house, and both parents are unemployed. While he still has a good appearance, and good social connections, I do believe that he is now lower class.