Erika Peterson

Arizona State University

OGL 350- Diversity and Organizations

Module 3 Paper

March 29, 2019

 Social class differences continue to exist around the world. There are many

factors that contribute to the differences, some of which are more visible than others. In

the United States social stratification and standards of living are used to measure the

different levels of socioeconomics and inequalities within classes (Openstx CNX, n.d).

However, social class does not necessarily limit one’s ability to success but rather their

individual achievement help determine their opportunities.

What key things did you learn about social class for you personally?  Relate
some of your realizations to this Social Class Exercise.  Would you have done
this exercise differently if the examples were female? If they were non-white?
Think about access to jobs and education.

Fahy (2009) states “…social class mobility within the United States is far from

fluid. Those born with few resources face higher obstacles in their efforts to achieve a

higher economic and social status.” In my opinion I believe this is true and is much

more difficult for those with fewer resources to achieve a higher economic and social

status. Although not impossible, the individual has an automatic disadvantage. An

individual with a lower social class will struggle to get an education limiting their

opportunities to obtaining a better paying job and social status. The Social Class

Exercise provided additional information and awareness of the inequalities that are seen

in different social classes and how they can potentially affect individual. Of course, as

stated in the exercise, social class does not determine the status across one’s life span,

but it makes it much more difficult for them to achieve something greater or higher

following the cycle of socialization. Someone of a lower social class like Justin, would

not be exposed to or have the same privileges as Clark. Justin would be more likely to

spend his time alone, struggling in school, with less resources and guidance. I think the
exercise would have been quite similar if both examples were females or non-white. I

think there would have been a sight difference if either one of the examples was of a

different race as stereotypes and prejudice continue to be an issue in class diversity.

As stated in Social Class Diversity text, the same intergenerational study found that

while 32.3 of white children born into the poorest income quintile were there as adults,

this number jumps to 62.9 percent for blacks (Fahy, 2009). Clark would have better

opportunities to attend the top schools and a greater chance to get a job with a higher

income level.

Reflect on your experience playing Spent 

In my experience, playing Spent provided real life scenarios of people who are

considered of low income. Having a part time job and not making very much money, I

struggled financially adding stress to my everyday life. Some of the choices given were

difficult to make, often choosing to pay the rent and not being able to purchase enough

or healthy foods to last the whole month. I chose not to have insurance and pay the

penalty fee at the end of the year because it was cheaper than paying a months’ worth

insurance premium. Additionally, I resorted to having someone stay with me so I could

lower my rent payment. This, often, results in unhealthy and stressful living conditions

having to deal with and put up with someone else. Although I tried to not spend money

unless I absolutely needed to, I still did not have enough money at the end of the month

to pay my rent. It was also impossible for me to save up any money and very difficult

for my child to participate in any activities or parties they were invited to. During the

scenario I could not help but feel helpless and emotional thinking of the many families

that experience situations like this everyday and something that is a norm for them. The
correlation between parent and child and the low probability of moving up the income

ladder seem to indicate that “making it” must not be as simple as setting a goal and

working hard to achieve it

Do you personally identify with a certain “class” or have you or your family
changed class over time (“up” or “down”)?  If so, were there meaningful
differences (pro or con) you experience simply by virtue of “class” or perceived
class status (Sometimes we “pass” for a class we don’t really feel a part of).  You
may want to use the New York Time's Social Class Calculator to help you figure
out where you stand in comparison to most Americans   

Growing up my father was the breadwinner of our home. With a family of five to

feed and only a middle school education level his job opportunities were limited. He

worked as a painter for a local painting company for several years. My mother began

working from home to provided additional resources for our family while still staying

home with us as daycare would have cost more than the income coming in. I remember

my father always pushing us to do well in school and reinforcing that education was our

number one priority. My family did not have much, we never really ate at fancy

restaurants or wore brand name clothing, often we wore hand-me-downs from other

family members. I even remember that once a month we would go to dinner as a family

to one of the local McDonald’s restaurants and only shopped for a few items of clothing

during the summer before school began in the fall. My father would work long hours

and often seven days a week. He taught us what work ethic, responsibility, and the

hunger to succeed was like. After a few more years my father tested and earned his

contractors license and started his own painting business. With over 25 years of

experience he continues to grow and be successful in his business. I was able to

experience both sides and levels of the social classes. Early in my life I experienced

what is was like to have limited resources and later on in my teen years I was privileged
to have more resources and opportunities. I often felt like I didn’t fit in, as I was labeled

part of one social class and not the other and having a different cultural capital. I

thankful for the opportunities that I was given by my parents, who proved that by

working hard, even when faced by multiple challenges along the way, one can succeed.

They taught me to never give up and that challenges only make us stronger and the

reward much better.

In terms of organizations, what really “stuck out” to you from the Social Class
readings and team building discussion….did it trigger any awareness? Bias?
Understanding? Have you seen social class related privilege, bias, or the like at
work in an organization?  Briefly describe 

The readings and team building discussion provided more awareness of the

problems that continue with social class. Social class continues to exist in organizations

as jobs that require minimal skills are often filled by individuals who are less educated

and privileged. Social stratification is created and supported by society as a whole

(OpenStax CNX, n.d), this is something that we see regularly in the agriculture/farming

community, a culture where majority of the working people lack the education and social

standing. Most of the farmworkers in the southern region of Arizona that travel to the

southern portion of the Greater Bay Area come from a long line of farmworker who

earned a minimal education falling into a caste system. When speaking about the

agriculture/farming organizations those who have earned an education and are born

into a well-educated family and of upper middle class are the ones who are of a higher

social class. In other organizations the same is true, but perhaps the possibility to excel

in the organization is not so limited to the social factors but to the individual’s

achievements and merits.