The Mighty Wedge of Class :: essays research papers fc

Mighty Wedge of Class by Todd Erkel Class is a curious, almost elusive thing. It makes rare appearances now and then in talk of the economy and such or in more heated academic debates, but rarely in private. It seems American pretty much avoid the subject at every opportunity by attempting to deny that these class divisions between people exist. But the stark reality is that class structures in America create the very nature of society, setting the hierarchical framework on which every American maintains an identity. This identity is often easily defined by economic standing or material wealth. But it can’t be that easy. As R. Todd Erkel seems to imply in his essay, "The Mighty Wedge of Class," which explores his working-class background, "class" is largely a construction of environment, while money factors little. But does it? Careful analysis of his essay shows that, although the cultural environment of a class, particularly the influence of parents and education, are important factors in d etermining one’s class, it is clear that money essentially determines and ultimately defines one’s class status in American society. Although Erkel presents evidence that the culture into which one is raised influences one’s future class status, he clearly suggests that it is essentially the possession of money that constructs this culture. His experience of growing up in a working class environment made him familiar with the general environment of the working class culture, particularly the behavior of those around him, especially his parents. However, this common behavior among the working class is largely shaped, if not determined, by common financial status. It is his parents’ status of low wealth in society that causes this behavior. He notes that, "the message received by children whose parents have battled with the world and come away feeling defeated is that they are better off not even trying." Erkel’s parents are one of many who try to make it financially in this "land of opportunity," but fail to achieve great wealth, fail to land the jobs that could elevate thei r status to one of high economic standing; thus, they are "willing to settle." Implied by his parents’ example is that the inability to find success financially in life shapes the common lifestyle of the working class and way of approaching life, particularly behavior. This behavior, the appearance of low wealth, creates and perpetuates the culture of the working class. Erkel was naturally influenced by this and learned to imitate this appearance. The Mighty Wedge of Class :: essays research papers fc Mighty Wedge of Class by Todd Erkel Class is a curious, almost elusive thing. It makes rare appearances now and then in talk of the economy and such or in more heated academic debates, but rarely in private. It seems American pretty much avoid the subject at every opportunity by attempting to deny that these class divisions between people exist. But the stark reality is that class structures in America create the very nature of society, setting the hierarchical framework on which every American maintains an identity. This identity is often easily defined by economic standing or material wealth. But it can’t be that easy. As R. Todd Erkel seems to imply in his essay, "The Mighty Wedge of Class," which explores his working-class background, "class" is largely a construction of environment, while money factors little. But does it? Careful analysis of his essay shows that, although the cultural environment of a class, particularly the influence of parents and education, are important factors in d etermining one’s class, it is clear that money essentially determines and ultimately defines one’s class status in American society. Although Erkel presents evidence that the culture into which one is raised influences one’s future class status, he clearly suggests that it is essentially the possession of money that constructs this culture. His experience of growing up in a working class environment made him familiar with the general environment of the working class culture, particularly the behavior of those around him, especially his parents. However, this common behavior among the working class is largely shaped, if not determined, by common financial status. It is his parents’ status of low wealth in society that causes this behavior. He notes that, "the message received by children whose parents have battled with the world and come away feeling defeated is that they are better off not even trying." Erkel’s parents are one of many who try to make it financially in this "land of opportunity," but fail to achieve great wealth, fail to land the jobs that could elevate thei r status to one of high economic standing; thus, they are "willing to settle." Implied by his parents’ example is that the inability to find success financially in life shapes the common lifestyle of the working class and way of approaching life, particularly behavior. This behavior, the appearance of low wealth, creates and perpetuates the culture of the working class. Erkel was naturally influenced by this and learned to imitate this appearance.