In every society there are different social classes, lower, middle, and upper class, that indicate not only income, but also the social standing in a community. Recently I have come to the realization that there is a major difference between the lower and the middle class. The difference between the two, is not so much the obvious yearly income, but how many “discounts” and “breaks ” the lower classes receives compared to the middle class, who, in some cases, make roughly the same amount of income. Which is why I have a major issue with the lower classes getting more breaks than the middle or working class.
I personally feel that I am a very understanding person, which is why when I see someone, who is genuinely struggling to make ends meet, receive a discount on something I usually thank our government for the system it has for those that are at a disadvantage and in the lower class bracket. When I see someone, who is fully decked out in Ralph Lauren or Hollister clothing, who just so happens to have the newest thing in technology, in front of me at the grocery store buying pure junk food, like chips, coke, or candy, and then hearing them boast about how they got said junk for free, well that’s something that just grinds my gears. Like everything in the world there are pros and cons to things, especially government programs.
Recently I was signing up to take an ACT test, which costs around fifty-five dollars. In my world fifty-five dollars isn’t too much money, but when I am paying fifty-five dollars for a test that I see someone else getting for free, I start to question a few things. Not only was the person who got the said test for free someone who frequently brags about getting “free lunch” but this person is also known to have the latest phone along with designer clothing. When I compare my middle class life to those who seem to be getting breaks left and right, I wonder how it makes sense for those who work very hard and still struggle to have to pay more than someone who doesn’t work and often receives substantial breaks and even money from the government.
The classes were intended to separate different incomes, but when I, a middle class or working class citizen, see my peers, who have more expensive possessions, and less monthly income getting free things such as an ACT test or extra junk food, I start to question the hierarchy of things. Is it better to be low class in America or middle class? And if the people in the lower class see that there is a trend for being poor and receiving things for free, why would they ever want to change classes, especially when they know that those in the middle or working class do just that and receive less compensation, why would they ever see a need to better their class, especially if they know that bettering their class means losing all the free benefits.
soci