Who Are The Working Class?

[naomi24]

Well?

[NickorWan]

I agree with Spicerack at 20:18. I think as a nation we have failed in that respect. It was easier for someone like me to progress from a poor working-class background than it is for someone today, and that can’t be right.

[AuntPollyGrey]

The Benefits Class. They have an overwhelming sense of entitlement and often better off financially than low paid workers.

[Zacs-Master]

Indeed, APG.

[naomi24]

Mick, //It was easier for someone like me to progress from a poor working-class background than it is for someone today//

I'm not sure that's true. Opportunities for education are greater now than they've ever been, aren't they?

[Spicerack]

It's my perception, Naomi, that in the 60's and 70's I was always reading about clever working class kids who went to Grammar School, maybe free (but very select) University and rose naturally to the top. Politicians, barristers, business leaders, even actors.
The natural order seemed to be people making it on merit.
Today, when I read about these people, they all seem to have attended public schools.
No working class (and few middle-class) can afford to rent/buy a London property and pay all the living expenses for 6/12/24 months while their children take part in an internship.

[NickorWan]

There probably are more opportunities, Naomi, but I am not sure it is opportunity that gets a poorer child to study. The system as it was gave kids who showed early academic capabilities special treatment. The system(s) that replaced it was(were) supposed to make sure everyone got a decent education and not focus on the brighter kids. The results though appears to show that fewer of the poorer kids are doing well from it, rather than more.

[Spicerack]

Even lower down the scale. A chap could start on a building site on the wrong end of a shovel, possibly 'pick up' a trade (but not necessarily) and by hard work and intelligence make it into senior management.
Now everyone is in their little boxes where they'll remain.
Different cards for different jobs. An army of thick kids with university degrees parachuted into management. (where they're clueless)
The use of agencies has stopped people becoming sub-contractors which was another route to social mobility.
Sorry to be so negative, lol. ;-)

[sevenOP]

Z-M - "I don’t think we got to a definitive answer, did we."

You are unlikely to get a definitive to such a subjective question.

Some interesting responses though.

Anyone who thinks education and finances available to enable a good education are not connected, should look at historical personages.

"The system as it was gave kids who showed early academic capabilities special treatment." @ 09:32 Wed 15th Apr 2020

In deed. Opp£rtunity knock$

[EDDIE51]

The Working Class can Kiss my A*se, I've got the Gov'ners job at last !

[Zacs-Master]

‘ You are unlikely to get a definitive to such a subjective question’

No shyyyt Sherlock.

[tomus42]

I've no idea, which is why I have to laugh when I hear Labour politicians saying things like 'we have to reconnect with the working class'.

I always wonder who on earth they think they're talking about.

[sevenOP]

Einstein, who many people have no knowledge of what he said or meant yet believe he was 'correct' in his oft quoted theories, said in May 1949

"For the sake of simplicity, in the discussion that follows I shall call “workers” all those who do not share in the ownership of the means of production—although this does not quite correspond to the customary use of the term. "

https://monthlyreview.org/2009/05/01/why-socialism/

[rowanwitch]

I was brought up in a traditional working class household but most of my family were also 'creatives' I decided early on that it didn't matter, I would respect those with greater abilities skills courage etc I would help any one I could who needed support to reach their potential and I would bow to no one on the basis of social position.

If I met the queen I would not bow to the queen but to an elderly lady who all her life has put duty first and deserves it.

I think being a creative type helps because I can do stuff that earns respect from others regardless of my background. Even in school we were taught that the only groups that stepped outside the class framework were artists and musicians

[sevenOP]

Do you consider yourself 'working class' Naomi ?

[naomi24]

Anyone who doesn't have private funds sufficient to support them for life and so has to work for a living is working class.

[Zacs-Master]

If you knew that, why did you feel it necessary to ask in the first place?

[naomi24]

I know what I think zacs ,,, but I don't know what other people think.... which is why I asked in the first place.

[Zacs-Master]

Oh, ok.

[pastafreak]

No class system in the States??

Haha..hahaa...hahahaha!
Yeh, right.
*rolls eyes*

[tomus42]

//Anyone who doesn't have private funds sufficient to support them for life and so has to work for a living is working class. //

That is a good definition, but what would you call people who live a luxurious lifestyle and need to work to continue to support that luxurious lifestyle. Are they working class?