Growing up in a class society, we've all learned attitudes about others and ourselves that help perpetuate the class system. These questions will aid you in becoming aware of the oppressions and/or privileges you've experienced because of your background and how they affect your life now. Awareness is the first step in making a commitment to change.
Money and Work
Money and Work
- Who earns money in your family? How much? Has the income changed over your life?
- What are your family's attitudes about spending? saving? loaning/borrowing? accepting welfare? accepting charity?
- Do you feel you have enough? more or less than your friends?
- What kind of job do the money earners in the family have? How much control do they have at work?
- Who owns the work place?
- What are your family's/friends'/society's view of the status of that work?
- What kind of neighborhood do you live in?
- Does you family own your home?
- Have you moved a lot? If so, why?
- Who lives at home? grandparents? older/married children?
- Who cleans your home?
- How are feelings, especially anger, expressed?
- How much "formal" education do your parents have?
- What are the expectations for your education?
- Are you the first generation in your family to potentially graduate high school?
- What do you believe is the most important reason for a high school education? college or university education? workplace training?
- Do you get regular physical checkups? dental appointments? eye doctor?
- When you are ill, were you taken to a doctor? a hospital? a clinic?
- Do you go for regular dental exams and cleaning? Are your teeth filled if needed?
- Do you have braces if needed?
- How is smoking treated in your family?
- How is alcohol use treated?
- Is regular exercise considered important?
- What about participation in sports? arts? holidays? travel?
- What are the attitudes about food, eating in your family? What types of meals, snacks, drinks, desserts are common?
- How would you describe your class background and current class status?
- How do you feel about your class background and status? (angry, ashamed, guilty... )
- Do your parents tell you that you were from a specific class?
- How do your attitudes about your work and money compare with those of your parents?
- Do you see yourself as upwardly or downwardly mobile?
- In groups, how do you see your power? How do you feel about, react to the power of others?
- How do you relate to people in school or at work who are in a different class?
- If you get in a financial jam, can your parents help you out financially?
- What are some examples of oppressions and/or privileges you experience now that relate to your class background?
ASSIGNMENT
PART 1:
Using SOME of these questions, write a 1-2 page report about yourself and your family's financial situation and class status. Like so much in this class, what you write is confidential. Make sure you use the terms we have learned in class.
PART 2:
Create a media piece on the same theme. Possible media can include video, collection of song lyrics, painting, cartoon panels, oral presentation, short drama, collage, short story, etc. Of course, if you have another creative idea, speak to Mr. Stewart.
Using SOME of these questions, write a 1-2 page report about yourself and your family's financial situation and class status. Like so much in this class, what you write is confidential. Make sure you use the terms we have learned in class.
PART 2:
Create a media piece on the same theme. Possible media can include video, collection of song lyrics, painting, cartoon panels, oral presentation, short drama, collage, short story, etc. Of course, if you have another creative idea, speak to Mr. Stewart.
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