Class is a curious, almost elusive thing. It makes rare appearances now and then in talk of the economy and such or in more heated academic debates, but rarely in private. It seems American pretty much avoid the subject at every opportunity by attempting to deny that these class divisions between people exist. But the stark reality is that class structures in America create the very nature of society, setting the hierarchical framework on which every American maintains an identity. This identity is often easily defined by economic standing or material wealth. But it can't be that easy. As R. Todd Erkel seems to imply in his essay, "The Mighty Wedge of Class," which explores his working-class background, "class" is largely a construction of environment, while money factors little. But does it? Careful analysis of his essay shows that, although the cultural environment of a class, particularly the influence of parents and education, are important factors in determining one's class, it is clear that money essentially determines and ultimately defines one's class status in American society.
Although Erkel presents evidence that the culture into which one is raised influences one's future class status, he clearly suggests that it is essentially the possession of money that constructs this culture. His experience of growing up in a working class environment made him familiar with the general environment of the working class culture, particularly the behavior of those around him, especially his parents. However, this common behavior among the working class is largely shaped, if not determined, by common financial status. It is his parents' status of low wealth in society that causes this behavior. He notes that, "the message received by children whose parents have battled with the world and come away feeling defeated is that they are better off not even trying." Erkel's parents are one of many who try to make it financially in this "land of opportunity," but fail to achieve great wealth, fail to land the jobs that could elevate their status to one of high economic standing; thus, they are "willing to settle.
Doesn't that money include room and board, food, tuition, and books? ... Isn't that amount of money enough to live on? ... What qualifies one to get money from someone? Dictionary.com defines pay as, "transfer[ing] money as compensation or recompense for work done or services rendered " (Dictionary.com, 2012). ...
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The controversy of the telethon arises with the distribution of the money. ... The article explains that it takes time for charities to give money to disaster victims. Plans must be in place for who obtains the money and how much they receive. ... I found this article very interesting because I was one of the people to donate money during that telethon. ... I know that is why I donated my money. ...
Money felt the John/Joan case provided the perfect variables to support his hypothesis of "nature vs. nurture." ... Money her letter, she was so desperate, she was willing to trust just about anyone who would listen to her story. ... Money basically had his work cut out for him. ... Money would manipulate John/Joan's genitalia and insist this be the twin that was raised as if he were born female. ... Money was known as an outspoken, overly confident researcher. ...
Money is not the only measure of success in life For most people in our modern-capitalism world, money is the first thing, and sometimes the only thing that measures success in their life. Money can buy power. Money can buy fame. Money can buy time. Sometimes money can even buy a life. So money has...
The one thing that everybody wants, but never seems to have enough of is money, mullah, dinero, and cash. ... But one thing I do know about money are my reasons for wanting more. ... Money does not grow on trees. ... I don't think that the reasons for a person to wanting money really should not matter. ... But somebody like me who wants money for success, to be able to buy anything I want, also to buy everything I need and is going to school for this purpose should not be judge. ...
Now being on our own we have to earn money to survive. ... We have to be one time every morning and work hard for success because we still need money. ... The power of money keeps us working and pushes us forward towards our next goal. ... Isn't it enough to have money to survive? ... Money forces us to work for it and by that is limiting our freedom. ...
