Social Class May Be Less Visible Than Other Types Of Differe ✓ Solved

Social Class May Be Less Visible Than Other Types Of Difference

Social class may be less visible than other types of difference. However, in many countries like the U.S., where individualism is valued, it is common to believe that all people are created equal and that the same opportunities are available to everyone who has the innate talent and is willing to put in the effort. This position ignores the challenge of overcoming the social, educational, and networking resources of class origins. This exercise is designed to help you to understand how social class could affect a person’s life experience due to differences in access and resources. Although social class in childhood does not necessarily determine status across one’s life span, it may limit educational and career options that may make it more difficult for a person to achieve personal goals.

Of course, individuals within a social class can have very different experiences due to a variety of factors. Considering that Justin represents a child born into the lower socioeconomic class and Clark represents one born into the upper middle class, your answers should reflect what is likely to be the more common experiences for children born into these situations.

Life Experiences of Justin and Clark

Justin was born to a 16-year-old single mother who lived with her family in an inner-city housing project. When he was born, she dropped out of high school to care for him. After he started school, she took a job cleaning rooms in a local hospital and is currently studying nights to get her General Equivalency Diploma (GED). On the other hand, Clark was born to a suburban couple in their mid-thirties. His mother has an MBA, and his father is a lawyer. Clark’s mother quit her job when he was born to take care of him.

Common Experiences Before Kindergarten

Before attending kindergarten, Justin may spend his time in less structured environments due to financial constraints impacting parental ability to provide enriching activities. He may engage more in home-based play or community-based programs with limited resources. In contrast, Clark might participate in preschool or daycare programs that provide social interaction and early learning opportunities, aided by his parents’ financial stability.

Special Educational Needs and Support

Once kindergarten begins, if Justin is diagnosed with a learning disability, he may receive individualized education programs (IEPs) primarily through public school resources. His options for support may be limited due to insufficient funding and resource allocation in public schools in lower socioeconomic areas. Clark, in comparison, might receive extensive support through private tutoring or specialized learning programs available to families with greater financial resources, allowing him better access to educational support.

Summer Vacations and After-School Activities

During summer vacations, Justin is likely to have fewer opportunities for travel or organized camps due to financial limitations, possibly spending his time in local community centers or remaining at home. His after-school activities might include free or low-cost programs, but he could miss out on experiences such as sports leagues that often require fees. Clark, however, might participate in various summer camps, sports, or enrichment programs that his parents can afford, benefiting his social and athletic development.

The Role of Sports in Their Lives

Sports may play a significant role in both children’s lives, but their experiences differ. Justin might have limited access to sports that require equipment and team fees, perhaps participating in school-organized activities that require minimal expenses. Clark, on the other hand, could play in organized sports leagues, affording him opportunities to develop teamwork skills and foster social connections.

High School Resources

As Justin progresses to high school and requires math help, he might rely on school tutoring programs that may not always be available or adequately staffed, continuing the cycle of educational disadvantage. In contrast, he may learn about technology through minimal school resources or community programs. If his College Board scores are not high, he might have limited access to prep classes that require fees, while Clark could benefit from private tutoring and educational resources designed specifically for college preparation.

Internship Resources and Career Skills

In college, if Justin needs an internship, he might not have the networks or connections to secure one without guidance from school counselors, which might be in short supply. Conversely, Clark is likely to have a well-networked family providing him with access to internships through personal connections, giving him a significant advantage in the professional world. Justin may lack exposure to important workplace skills and networking opportunities, whereas Clark may develop those skills from a young age through family and extracurricular involvement.

Discussion Questions

1. In the workplace, social class can impact job opportunities, networking capabilities, and access to mentorship. Social class creates different realities where lower socioeconomic individuals often face systemic barriers that hinder equal opportunity.

2. While often perceived as invisible, social class can be deduced through lifestyle indicators such as manner of speech, clothing, or educational background. This realization prompts questions about underlying biases in professional and social settings.

References

• Harvey, C., & Allard, M. J. (2021). Understanding and Managing Diversity. 6th Edition. VitalSource Bookshelf.
• Bridges, R. (2019). Class Matters: The Role of Social Class in the Workplace. Journal of Diversity Management.
• Smith, S. (2020). The Unseen Barriers: Social Class and Educational Attainment. Journal of Social Issues.
• Jenson, R. (2018). Managing Diversity in Organizations: Social Class Perspectives. Diversity in Organizations.
• Williams, P. (2021). Invisible Barriers: A Study of Socioeconomic Disparities in Education and Career Outcomes. Journal of Educational Research.
• Lee, T. (2022). Understanding the Impact of Social Class on Learning Disabilities. Journal of Special Education.
• Moore, H. (2019). The Effects of Socioeconomic Status on Child Development: A Review. International Journal of Child Development.
• Adams, R. (2021). Inequality in Youth Sports: The Role of Economic Status. Journal of Sports Economics.
• Clark, M. (2020). Education and Career Pathways: The Influence of Family Background. Journal of Career Assessment.
• Sullivan, J. (2022). Social Class and Its Impact on Networking Opportunities. Administrative Science Quarterly.