I decided to watch the video “All You Need is Cash”posted on YouTube by People Like Us. I chose this video to understand how the concept of class has affected our American society. In our last class lecture, we defined a social class as “…a large group of people occupying similar economic position…” This concept stratifies our society to give a sense of belonging. The video starts with the film directors taking the audience to a lavish party in one of the estates in New York City. I recognized some characteristics that put people into classes. I also learned that social classes affect people’s self-image and expectations in life.

The main issue with social classes is that they provide a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, social classes are not natural. It is a social construction created to give a sense of belonging and identity. In the video, the narrator says “…America is a nation of tribes…and every American a member of at least one of them…”This statement shows how social classes have shaped American society. In the lavish party, the wealthy mingle around dancing with their fellow wealthy. For them, they feel that they are in a similar group. I think that the common element that has brought the wealthy together in the party is wealth, ownership, and probably education. Wealthy individuals hardly find time to roam in streets or idle around. They have fixed schedules and appointments.

Social classes are created when people become successful and tend to identify with successful friends and family members. In the video, one of the narrators describes the wealthy people as “…People who have attained a lot of success in…financial markets, different markets…dotcom businesses…” (Min. 5.47).In our week six lecture, one of the facts is that the global wealthiest five hundred individuals have a combined wealth of global four hundred and sixteen million most impoverished people. This magnifies the concept of stratification. The wealthy do not want to share their income with the poor. The poor do not choose their social classes. They have been denied this opportunity by the wealthy that tend to associate with people of their social class.

I think that growing up in a particular class affects a person’s self-image and expectations in life. The circumstances of life shape a child growing up in a suburb or a poor background. Addition, exposure to violence, and elements of the inferiority complex makes the child accept and embrace social status.Unless a person comes in to tell the child that it is possible to overcome the obstacles and succeed in life, the child will not develop a positive mindset.Everyone needs motivation and to be reminded that it is possible to overcome poverty and rise to the next level.

Even though social classes shape people’s self-image and expectations in life, money determines acceptance in social classes. Wealthy individuals may be accepted in middle classes depending on their status. In the video, the narrator says that money can give a person class, but that does not mean that the individual will be accepted in the class (min. 7.6).People that have grown up in upper social classes have higher expectations. Their parents may afford to take them to quality schools. On the other hand, children from low backgrounds have their hopes and aspirations in life shattered by their environment. Their parents cannot afford enough money to take them to quality schools. This increases the concept of social stratification, making it impossible to overcome social classes.

In conclusion, social classes in America have distinct characteristics. The affluent have money, while the poor languish in poverty. People with cash mingle in groups that have money.People in the upper classes are characterized by power, financial stability, and quality education. These factors have a significant impact on self-image and life expectations.

Works Cited

“All You Need Is Cash – People Like Us Episode #7.” YouTube, uploaded by People Like Us – The CNAM Channel 30 March 2009 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf2dScTlvOQ. Accessed 17 Feb. 2019

“Lecture Week Six: The Concept of Class.”

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