Janice Leung
English 165 AK
Ms. Erpelo
Final Paper
Education and Social Classification
Paolo Fonacier is a
Filipino born in the
“Social
class itself is as old as civilization itself and has been present in nearly
every society from before the Roman Empire,
through medieval times, and to the modern-day
Class
structure determines our life chances and is arguably the most important of all
social structures, providing the basic structure of all modern societies. Income is one of the most
commonly used attributes of a household to determine its class status.
“The
most basic class distinction between the "high" or "low"
groups is between the powerful and the powerless. Social classes with more power usually subordinate
classes with less power, while attempting to cement their own power positions
in society. Social classes with a great
deal of power are usually viewed as elites, at least within their own societies.” (Wikipedia)
According
to Abercrombie (2000) the upper class is distinguished from the rest by its
wealth and power. The upper class
consists of very few people; McGregor argues that it may be as little 1% of
society's population. The people in this
group are employers, they own large quantities of land, and some are
self-employed or have a career as managers or professionals. The middle class consists of roughly 60% of
the population according to McGregor.
Their positions within the labor market are diverse white-collar careers
such as small business people, clerks, sales workers, and teachers.
When the Spaniards colonized the
“The pre-Spanish
system of education underwent major changes during the Spanish
colonization. The tribal tutors were
replaced by the Spanish Missionaries.
Education was religion-oriented.
It was for the elite, especially in the early years of Spanish
colonization.” (Department of Education
of the
When
the
“An adequate
secularized and free public school system during the first decade of American
rule was established” (Department of Education of the
Because
of American colonization, many Filipinos immigrated to the
“[h]ighly selected, these pensionados
often were the children of prominent Filipino families whose loyalty the
colonial regime hoped to win” (27).
With
great wealth, people have the opportunity to manipulate the life that they will
lead. The education system reinforces
many inequalities insuring that members of the highest class have better
opportunities and elevated chances of achieving greatness. Only wealthy Filipino families, known as the
elites-well educated Filipinos who stood high in the class structure sent their
children to study in the
Education
is a privilege because not many people can afford an education, and we should
be grateful that we have the opportunity that many do not have.
Members of different class groups begin
their lives with unequal opportunities, this affects the education they will
receive, the social connections they will make, and even the way they speak and
behave. Class structure is present in
all societies and is the key source of economical inequality. Members of
different class groups start their lives with unequal opportunities. This
means that when someone is born into a poor household they will undoubtedly
remain in the same economical situation as their parents. The education system reinforces many
inequalities insuring that members of the highest class have better
opportunities and elevated chances of achieving greatness. Members of the upper class all go to private
schools together, from sharing educational experiences the upper class learn to
interact with each other, upon leaving school they would have formed long
lasting friendships, business contacts and possibly a relationship with another
member of the same group to whom they will eventually marry. This all creates a loop, meaning that when
there children go to private school there lives will follow the same path. From these important contacts the upper class
make simply by going to school they have formed very powerful contacts who will
enhance there career prospects and insure their success in whatever career they
wish to pursue.
Social structures most definitely have an
impact on our lives and depending on the circumstances the impact is usually
one that is undesirable and unfortunately those who are born into a
disadvantaged social group will more often than not remain there, as will their
children. Society cannot be blamed for the social structures that it has
created, it is a gradual process, it took many years to create these constraints,
and it will take many more to break them down.
WORKS CITED
Warner, Lloyd; Marchia Meeker, Kenneth Eells
(1949). What
is Social Class in America, Lloyd Warner.
"Social Class." Wikipedia. 24 May 2007
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_class>.