Money and Social Divide

This is my first thread in this section, so here goes:

Do you think money as a measure of your social standing is still present in society? I think it is, even if people won't admit it.

I go to a grammar (selective) school, so most of the people who go there are pretty rich. The school itself is in a pretty rich area far from the city. It seems to me that people who live in poorer areas are the butt of jokes and seem to be mistrusted by a few of the richer people.

For example, I have heard several people (both teachers and students) say how people who live in flats and on council estates (the equivalent of you Americans) are a dangerous bunch of drug dealing yobs who will knife you for no reason. As someone who lives in a flat in a not-so-nice area, it saddens me to see how people can be so prejudiced.

I'm not saying all rich people are like that; indeed, some of my best friends are very well-off. I'm just asking, do you think money is still a divide among people?

I don't think money is the factor so much as items and symbolism.

Take for example, Apple Inc. Apple products are over-priced and expensive to boot, but most people want them. Apple products are highly popular: people everywhere are saving up money to buy iPhones, Macbooks, etc. They're paying for the Apple logo. People who have Macbooks are usually considered of a higher status than those without. These days, it's where you put your money, not necessarily how much money you have. People with nicer clothes, cars, houses, televisions and other electronics tend to be held of a higher status than those without.

My family is upper-middle class. When I do good in school and work around the house, I get rewarded (though it's only at the end of year year/school year). I don't have fancy Macbooks, a brand new car or even designer clothing. I buy my clothes off the clearance racks, actually. Can I afford these fancy things? Easily. My family simply doesn't because we emphasize saving money instead of spending it. I have been discriminated against multiple times because of this. In reality, the money my family makes is more than the money than their family does.

It's all about what you own these days. That's why people have been taking out massive loans to buy houses in nice neighborhoods or shiny new cars that they don't need.

I don't think money is the factor so much as items and symbolism.

This. He who has the most toys, wins. It doesnt even matter anymore if you can actually afford the toys, as long as you have them. Why do you think so many [Americans] are so in debt? Trying to live up to a standard of material possessions. People who are less fortunate than myself have better cars than i do. That is no joke. They may live in trailers but they got a 2008 Prius that runs and i have a car that needs new brakes. Yeah... Its really not about how much MONEY you have. Its about how much THINGS you have.

Not only is it about how much things you have, but its about WHAT you have with WHAT money you make. Money is still a driving factor in the class divide, and that's why class distinction will always be around. It's especially starting to become prevalent here in America.

Originally Posted by Florina Belmont

People who are less fortunate than myself have better cars than i do. That is no joke. They may live in trailers but they got a 2008 Prius that runs and i have a car that needs new brakes. Yeah... Its really not about how much MONEY you have. Its about how much THINGS you have.

I met people whose parents both together make maybe... 1/4 of what my dad makes in a year. They decided to buy a house in just about the most expensive area in New Jersey possible and they're leasing a brand new 2010 car for god knows what a month. Their house is now under foreclosure and they're forced to either rent a place or move in with family. It makes my jaw drop when people spend money they just plain don't have. So I totally get what you're saying about families who make less having more.

I've always had to wait to get things I needed fixed fixed. Up until two months ago, I was using a television that was 20 years old (I got a 32" flat screen for graduating high school with honors). Whenever I wanted something and it wasn't Christmas, I had to save up my lunch money/allowance to get it. And every day in high school I remember seeing kids whose parents bought them every gaming system, a flat screen TV, designer clothes, etc etc and these kids get crap grades and don't do anything to earn what they get. Now that I'm in college I'm seeing kids whose parents either bought a used 2008 vehicle or are leasing them brand new cars.

Symbolism is everything. Money doesn't matter since you can just "borrow" some from the government (which damages the economy if people borrow money they don't have).

Originally Posted by kreebby

It's all about what you own these days. That's why people have been taking out massive loans to buy houses in nice neighborhoods or shiny new cars that they don't need.

What do you mean these days? People have been like that since the dawn of civilization. Perfect example: from the Middle ages until about the Mid-Late-19th Century, Swords were commonly seen as a status symbol. This is why you see American Civil War Officers carrying them. All-in-all, it's just Human nature.

Originally Posted by kreebby

I've always had to wait to get things I needed fixed fixed. Up until two months ago, I was using a television that was 20 years old (I got a 32" flat screen for graduating high school with honors). Whenever I wanted something and it wasn't Christmas, I had to save up my lunch money/allowance to get it. And every day in high school I remember seeing kids whose parents bought them every gaming system, a flat screen TV, designer clothes, etc etc and these kids get crap grades and don't do anything to earn what they get. Now that I'm in college I'm seeing kids whose parents either bought a used 2008 vehicle or are leasing them brand new cars.

I get the first part, I too have to save up for all my non essential items. I bought my flatscreen, ps3 and pretty much everything else all on my own. Its always helpful to learn how to save, which many people don't seem to grasp the concept of.

Its your vehicle part I sort of disagree with. My parents did buy me a nice '08 Avenger. Getting a newer car makes it easier to get by. If you buy an older car with a lot more miles on it, its bound to have problems and cost hundreds to fix. Its a smart move in the long run to get a newer car because it pretty much eliminates the possibility of malfunction.

Its your vehicle part I sort of disagree with. My parents did buy me a nice '08 Avenger. Getting a newer car makes it easier to get by. If you buy an older car with a lot more miles on it, its bound to have problems and cost hundreds to fix. Its a smart move in the long run to get a newer car because it pretty much eliminates the possibility of malfunction.

Some people cant really afford a newer car. I mean, folks have to pay bills and house payments and all that good stuff. A car payment is too much on top of all of that! Why get a car you cant keep because you cant make the payment?

Originally Posted by Florina Belmont

Some people cant really afford a newer car. I mean, folks have to pay bills and house payments and all that good stuff. A car payment is too much on top of all of that! Why get a car you cant keep because you cant make the payment?

because you need to be ahead of the joneses at all costs!