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Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Is there a working class in this country any more?
Is Britain a classless meritocracy?
Is Britain a classless meritocracy?
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How can Britain be thought of as being classless?
In what sense?
I think most people who claim to be working class, aren't. In fact, I'd argue that there isn't a working class in this country. There may well be an underclass...
In the sense of not having a class system.
Having spent the last month trying to sort out a school for Junior peeps, let me assure you that the class system is alive and well in 21st century Britain.
In the way that they don't 'work' and claim benefits? In fact, what would be the equivalent now? Till girls and binmen? Or is it defined by income?
Yes, in a word. Working class would be a misnomer in that case. I don't think class can be defined by income alone, although that clearly plays a part. For example, someone like John Prescott who is from a 'working class' background. He's done working class jobs but now earns over £100,000 as a govt minister. He probably describes himself as working class, but there is no way his children could claim to be.
Till girls and binmen aren't necessarily working class but may well be.
Freethepeeps, what did your experience tell you about the class system in this country?
Being "working class" seems to be something quite a few people are aspiring to these days.
I'm not sure about a class divide.
It seems to me that intelligence and determination are far more important than your background
That if you're middle class your kids will almost certainly get better educational opportunities, and better jobs, and better educational opportunities for their kids ............
It has a lot to do with it though. Otherwise Prescott's children would be working class like their father. That's how it works.
I think people like to claim that they had it tough but now they've 'made it'. Sure, but is intelligence inherited? And determination and ambition have to come from somewhere. If lofty aspirations are suggested and/or encouraged by 'middle class' parents then presumably 'working class' kids are disadvantaged, and can never prove their worth.
That's hardly new. Why do you think that is?
That wasn't what I meant. I think it is this 'underclass' is neglected by our society and pretty much abandoned to continue the cycle of deprivation.
It's probably easy enough to point out generally the working/middle classes, simply because of where they live in towns. The upper class is harder to distinguish though I think.
What do you think about class?
OK, but can you spot someone from a working class background in the High Street? I don't think we've had a true upper class for years. Celebrity is the new aristocracy.
I think there are two classes...those who rule...and those who don't
What about yourself
...meritocracy is it not??
In the High street, you could probably make an educated guess. People dressing/walking/talking a certain way are mor likely to be from one background than another. Most people would correctly guess from my accent and turn of phrase that I'm middle class, they wouldn't know however, that I grew up within 100m of the roughest council estate in town.
Yep
I do wonder about this.
The people at the university I attend seem to come from quite a mix of backgrounds.
I've often thought "what am I doing here?", because neither of my parents stayed at school past their o-levels. Although I can probably place most of the blame...err, thanks
Rather surprisingly, I think its down to the class structure perpetuating itself ...........
What class are the people who clean stations and sell McShite?
Dressing/walking/talking in a certain way - so there is something more to class than money. Why do you think people dress/walk/talk in certain ways depending on their class.