When I think of social class I think of "The Howls' vs The Bundy's"-- two very defined lifestyles articulated beyond money alone and by an entire state of mind.
It's this state of mind that really reflects a persons class I think. For there are many people who lack finances but remain dignified while there are others who are loaded but not at all refined.
However in our society, where the majority are deemed "Middle-Class," consumerism is the defining factor of class. It's not just about how much you have in your bank account, it's how much you own. The number of things you own defines ones wealth more than any other factor- and that seems to be what we're constantly working for.
The American goal is to be wealthy enough to have anything we want, and when we want. Our obsession with this is insatiable. In fact, the only thing we love more than money is watching it get spent! We are addicted to watching the rich spend their money and live these lavish albeit ridiculous lives. I've said it before, my 'hate that I love it' guilty pleasure is Keeping Up With the Kardashians (bows head in shame)---and why!? I have no idea, it's not that they flaunt price tags so much, but they do live in (what seems to be) an easy world of vanity and materials, and I hate how entertaining I find it.
Shows like ''My Super Sweet 16'', ''Real Desperate Housewives of [Wherever the Hell]" or any wedding show on TLC only further to feed that idea that our self worth comes from our tangible valuables. In essence, the days of having class and being of high-class no longer go hand in hand, but has instead been replaced with the idea that what we own defines us in the hierarchy of class; a self-given air of entitlement- whether earned, deserved or otherwise.
No comments:
Post a Comment