Individualism or Socioeconomic Structures?

I greatly believe that class position originates from socioeconomic structures. If one is born into wealth, chances are that wealth will always remain, and they will be able to go to any school they wish, and opportunities will be gift-wrapped and placed on their laps. The prime example being Paris Hilton who is an heiress of her father; and has been thrown television show after modeling gig after makeup line. These types of people will never have to worry about money. On the contrary, one who is born into a poor family will have a very hard time to even maintain anything but the underclass. Their family may not speak English, and therefore, have to figure out everyday tasks we take for granted, on their own, unless they can translate effectively. These children cannot ask their parents for help on homework if their parents do not know English. Even something as simple as filling out the Census may seem complicated if one cannot read the language. This is not to say the parents are to blame, however, it is simply how structures maintain society to be the way it is. How easy would it be to teach our students both English and Spanish as our predominate languages? After all, more people speak Spanish as a first language in the United States than English.

From policies on language to corporations to drugs to taxation; the United States makes it very hard for one to have mobility in the classes. Policies may seem to benefit society, but it is all a mask. For example, the crack versus cocaine scandal. It may seem beneficial to "put away the bad guys", but is it bad if it is the last resort from being homeless? Is it bad if it is all someone may know? Those who get caught with crack get more jail time than those who get caught with cocaine. However, when compared, the two drugs are practically the same, one is just used by rich people, and the other happens to be used by poor people. Well when racism exists, and young black men are prevented from getting stable jobs, they fall into a cycle of poverty. They may then resort to selling crack or be raised in a lifestyle of crack, and are then incarcerated. This leaves black families without their male roles, encircling the women into poverty as well. It may seem like an extreme example, but it is not, and is how we have societal structures that enforce those who are not white to make up the lower class. Unfortunately, even those with willpower, dedication, and hope may never see a transition in upward class mobility. “Therefore, "underclass" did not "connote moral or ethical unworthi­ness" or "any other pejorative meaning." Rather, it described a new population, "not necessarily culturally deprived, lacking in aspirations, or un­motivated to achieve," but the static poor, trapped in their situation by a variety of forces, primarily constricted opportunities and "limited alternatives provided by socialization patterns” (Katz 4).