What is the Effect of Social Class on Families?

This is a question I have given a lot of thought to this week. Does social class really matter? Can anyone in any class be truly happy? I wish to share with you, some if my thoughts, but I am also open to hearing other ideas on the matter.

Throughout my study, and thought this week I have come to believe that social class is very much involved in the people that we become. Many of us love to here success stories of a person who was born into to humble circumstances, but worked hard and made a successful life for themselves. But how many individuals end up in a higher social class than their parents? My personal observation is that those who do tend to be an outlier. Social class then, in many ways affects the person we become, and even the family life we experience.

With that said I still believe anyone can improve the life they have, for some it may just be more difficult. Consider the child born into a family whose parents are both Harvard grads, the father a very successful businessman, the mother a stay at home mom. This child attends a prestigious  private school from his youth,and associates with other families just like his own. Now consider another child born into a single parent home where the mother has to work two minimum wage jobs just to provide a small apartment, and food for the family. They live in a dangerous neighborhood, and the child attends public school. Which of these children is more likely to make a life for themselves? Obviously the first child. Why? Because of the social class he was born into, this child receives more advantages than does the one born into a lower class. If the second child wishes to be successful it will depend on if he can overcome mountainous obstacles. Too often the challenges are too much resulting in many people just falling into the same habits, and traditions of there parents.

There may not be a solution to this evident problem, however I believe there is one thing that would make significant improvements. We need to focus more on families! I cannot stress it enough. Regardless of social class, a child born into a stable family is more likely to succeed than other children. We need more families with a mother, and a father who love each other, and work together to raise children with morals, and a strong work ethic. Sadly that type of family is no longer the norm. Who will stand with me and defend the family?

The Family Model

This week in class we were required to write a paper on the BYU-Idaho learning model. All our classes are built around this model which essentially includes three parts: prepare, teach one another, and ponder and prove. As part of this paper we were asked to discuss how the learning model could be applied to family life, so I wanted to share some of my thoughts on the topic.

The BYU-Idaho Learning Model is set up in a way that any student can be successful; however the principles can also apply to family life as well. A family built upon preparation, teaching one another, and pondering, and proving will be better off than other families with no system in place.

There may technically be no “homework” assignments in family life; however preparation is still a vital part of a successful family. Every member should have their responsibilities, from mom and dad, all the way down to the youngest child. The preparation step in the “family” model would include household chores such as, doing dishes, cleaning bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. To be successful in this step, every family member should do everything in their power to make the house a happy and comfortable place to be, thus preparing for rewarding family life.

Families can also be greatly improved by teaching one another, the second principle of the BYU-Idaho learning model. The best way to think about this particular principle is working together to accomplish goals. Every family member has different activities they are involved in, and varying goals; a family should also have family goals. Each individual in the family should be aware of each other’s goals, as well as the family’s goals, and then work together so that everyone can succeed.

The final step in the BYU-Idaho learning model is to ponder and prove. This refers to real-life application. In family life I will refer to it as family recreation, and fun. The real-life application of the previous two steps is being able to enjoy each other’s company in daily activities. Every family needs time to spend on fun activities, which will build strong bonds of friendship, and foster love. This is real-life application of family principles.

Every family can be happy if they put forth the effort. The BYU-Idaho learning model may be geared toward students, but can be a great guide for families as well.