Problem:
This is the question: Although social class is rarely "taught" explicitly or overtly in American society, throughout our lifetimes, we learn to do it through socialization. This socialization happens within our families, schools, communities, peer groups, organizations, institutions, and in many various social structures of which we are a part of. Class socialization can happen in formal and informal contexts, can be purposeful or not, intentional, and unintentional. Reflecting on your own life, what are some of the ways in which you have experienced class socialization? For this assignment, explain how you came to understand how to "do class" by choosing two examples from your own life: 1) a relatively early memory of such, and 2) something more recent. Need Assignment Help?
This is what I have written:
Growing up in an affluent town in Westchester County, New York, I was socialized into a world where social class was not only visible but deeply embedded in daily life. In my community, the markers of class were often apparent in the quality of schools, extracurricular activities, and the neighborhoods people lived in. Early on, I learned that social class wasn't just about income but also about social capital. The networks and resources families access is because of their wealth and connections.
Families in my area often make decisions about where to live based on school districts and the educational resources available to them in that district. The schools with stronger academic reputations had better teachers, programs, and extracurriculars, all of which helped with college admissions and future career opportunities.
Families with financial stability, mine included, used their money and influence to secure future success for their children. My parents invested in private tutoring, enrichment programs, and social networks that built the cultural capital needed to thrive in elite environments. This behavior by parents is a prime example of opportunity hoarding.
As I matured, I began to notice the invisible advantage that wealth and social networks provided. Children from wealthy families had more opportunities to succeed because of their ascribed characteristics. For example, being born into family wealth and social networks. In contrast, children from lower-income families often had fewer chances for success. Exposure to the disparity between different social classes helped me understand how privilege works. I've learned that social class is a structure in which advantage is perpetuated through social reproduction-the process by which social class is passed down from one generation to the next and is what keeps the advantaged, advantaged and the disadvantaged, disadvantaged.
One of my first personal encounters of class socialization came from observing how parents interacted with the administration at my elementary school. My parents were actively involved in my education, and approached teachers and administrators with sincere interest and advocated for me. Even though I didn't have the words for it at the time, I could tell that these behaviors were connected to class.
Watching my parents, I learned how to navigate the school system myself. I remember my mom introducing herself to new teachers at the start of the year and chatting with other parents at school events, or my dad making sure I knew how to politely advocate for myself when I needed extra help in class. They never hesitated to ask questions, speak up for support, and follow school rules. In Pedigree: How Elite Students Get Elite Jobs, Rivera explains that children from wealthier families often pick up small habits. For example, how to talk to authority figures and present yourself to the world. From this early memory, I realized that class isn't just about money, it's also something people "do." I began practicing these habits myself, sometimes without realizing it, and these early lessons shaped how I carry myself in formal and professional settings to this day.
A more recent experience at Lehigh that shaped how I perceive class was when I started going into professional settings. Qualifications matter but don't necessarily determine success. The ability to communicate in the "right" way through tone, posture, and speech pattern is equally important. For example, during the career expo this year, I approached recruiters and made a conscious effort to shake hands, maintain eye contact, and speak clearly and professionally about my experiences. I paid attention to the tone I used and the questions I asked with the goal of presenting myself in a confident and professional manner, similar to the peers I had observed. I also noticed myself code-switching, keeping some aspects of my background to myself and highlighting others to align with the company goals.
Reflecting on my experiences from growing up in Westchester, New York to navigating Lehigh University, I can clearly see how class socialization shapes the ways we interact with the world. Early on, I learned from my parents how to navigate school, advocate for myself, and present myself confidently in formal settings. More recently, at Lehigh, I've applied these skills in professional and academic settings, learning how to code-switch, communicate effectively, and present my experiences in ways that align with societal expectations.
Through both examples, I've realized that class socialization happens across multiple contexts including families, schools, and social institutions. Moreover, class socialization can be both conscious and subconscious. My upbringing gave me an early head start, but my current experiences at Lehigh have made me more aware of the ongoing influence of social networks, cultural capital, and opportunity hoarding. I've learned that class is more than just a person's financial situation; it's also a collection of expectations, habits, and acquired abilities that change throughout the course of a person's life.
Please edit it for me to make my examples more personal, specifically state what class I am in (upper-middle class) and overall elaborate more throughout the paper.