Class Matters Essay

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Class in America is a social grading system which people are placed into groups based upon their occupation, dwelling area, household type, and source of income. In the book Class Matters, there are arguments that support the idea that class doesn’t matter within America and also that it does. The main argument from within the book supporting that class is not very significant or that it does not in fact matter much is the whole idea of what is known as the “American Dream”. This American Dream says that with hard work and perseverance, anyone can become successful. For instance an example of this idea is that if someone works hard in school during their childhood to achieve strong grades, works hard paying for college and earning a degree, they will land a good paying job with good benefits that will provide for a family. Ernie Frazier who is a real estate investor in Houston quotes, “I think the system is as fair as you can make it. I don’t think life is necessarily fair. But if you persevere, you can overcome adversity. It has to do with a person’s willingness to work hard, and I think it’s always been that way” (Scott and Leonhardt 2005:5). There are many arguments within the book that describe why class does matter in America today. One argument is the argument that the upper class lives longer than those individuals in classes below them. This is because individuals with a lot of capital have better insurance and means to pay for treatments and medical attention, where the lower class is unable to pay for medical treatment. As quoted in the book, “As advances in medicine and disease prevention have increased life expectancy in the United States, the benefits have disproportionately gone to people with education, money, good jobs, and connections” (Scott 2005:29). Another example given in the book is that class matters within marriage or romantic
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