The Class Barrier

There has been considerable interest and attention paid recently, both locally and nationally, to the issue of class, and more specifically, upward mobility.

Despite coming from a working class background, those that know me would describe me nowadays as middle class, whatever that may mean. I like to think that I have gained the ability to move readily between the classes as the need arises.

When it comes to identifying a person’s class there are many factors that come into play.

Certainly in the UK there has been a shift in how we determine class and the way in which individuals successfully manage to reposition themselves.

In the past the class divide might well have been determined by such tangible characteristics as title, land ownership, education, income and accent; the haves and have nots. This is no longer quite the case. We cannot continue to pigeon-hole people as our society become more multi-cultural and the sphere of influence widens.

Whilst much is made of the elitism of the Eton educated toffs who largely run our country it is those who have chosen to ply their trade through manual work who now often hold the upper hand. We are increasingly reliant upon the builders, painters, decorators, gardeners, electricians and plumbers, those with practical skills, who help to ensure that our lives run smoothly; albeit for a price. Many of these tradesmen will not have gone on to higher education, for any number of reasons, but they are increasingly making their mark and flexing their financial muscle.

We often talk of upward mobility as if it is something that everyone should aspire to. Little consideration is given to the fact that many people are comfortable with their perceived place in society, with no desire to move onwards and upwards, generally content with their lot. It has not escaped my notice either that little attention is paid to those born into a position of privilege who choose to move down market, willingly swapping their comfortable lives for a more modest existence.  

Whilst every person deserves access to opportunities for improvement, there must not be the assumption, increasingly bandied around, that our success can only be measured by whether or not we receive a university education or gain great exam results. Success in modern society is a moveable feast.

All too often it is thought that those considered to be of a different ‘upper class’ look down on those of working class origin but very often it is the reverse that is true, where those with chips on their shoulders will seek to justify this, and their own actions, by pointing the finger at others. Amongst some members of the working classes there seems to be an underlying inverse snobbery towards those who are deemed to be better off.  

Certainly in my experience, particularly during my years as a domestic servant in the upper echelons of society, it is those who have the most to brag about who are least likely to do so. They invariably come across as humble and considerate of others, never needing to remind everyone of their title and status at every opportunity, unlike some I could name. All most of us want above all else is respect, and to be made to feel valued no matter what our hierarchical status. All it takes to achieve this is attitude, which is something that no amount of education or money can buy.