What do you think when someone ask
you what class you are in? Do you judge
them by their looks or how much money they earn or how hard they work? Tammy
Crabtree is a single mother, with 4 kids, and has to walk 10 miles to and from
work. She is working hard to make ends meet and her situation looks grim. For me, I observed a lack of motivation to get
out of her situation. She seems to be overwhelmed by how much money she needs
to pay for her expenses and lacks focus on taking care of one thing at a time.
She is stuck in a sand pit with out a way to get out. She is working hard but
it is not getting her out of the working class poor.
Also on that note in the show 30
Days, Morgan Spurlock and his girlfriend try to live for 30 days at the minimum
wage in Ohio. They wanted to experience what it takes to live on minimum wage. They wanted to bring awareness about the hardships of the
working class poor. He is experiencing the life of the underprivileged. They wanted to see how hard it would be to
meet the savings mile stone of $1,000 and if he could live day to day pay for
expenses and still save money than it could prove that people can pull
themselves out of poverty.
In my observation, I think that the rich are
getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. I see this when I drive through
the city, hearing stories about “bad” areas, and watching the news or movies.
Social class is like a social ladder that people can climb up or fall down.
Usually it is easier for people to go down than climb up in social status. People
that are rich are getting richer and the poor and not as well off are getting
poorer. Just like the period before the Great Depression, there is a huge gap
between classes of people. Tammy Crabtree can’t raise herself out of poverty. She
seems to be trying to get out by working, but she can’t find her way out of her
place and to live more comfortably.
Also, I think that the American
dream is not achievable for some because of their environment in which they
grew up. Some may achieve their goals but some can’t base on their economic
status. How well off you are can play a
role in your ability to move up the social class ladder. Some of the families
are in a sinkhole that they can’t get out of or escape. On the other side of
the spectrum, there are wealthy people with the ability to spend and continue
to gain more wealth easily.
One way people can help themselves
from getting into poverty is to get a higher education and get better paying
jobs. Another way to stay out of poverty
is to manage your income and expenses.
People have a chance to get a better education and some don’t take the
opportunity to try.
