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How do you see class impacting your parents' parenting? Your own?
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My mom raised me extremely frugally with a large dose of Fear of Debt. Because I had so many "forbidden fruits" as a kid I struggle with how to be moderate with my own child; wanting to give him everything I didn't have but knowing he'd be better off in the long run if I didn't.
From the time I entered elementary school, both of my parents worked full time. Over the years, we had more material items, but less time or connection with each other. My own parenting choices include working less than full time to have more time with my children, and to be more present. I recognize the class privilege that makes this possible. While I need to work to earn my living, my own parents' economic success led me to a great education, and marketable skills. I have more choices around work and time than I would if I worked a minimum wage job.I tend to balance time for my kids to be and play on their own with structured activities. I don't want them to be overscheduled, running from class to class, yet I do want to give them other opportunities: swimming and music classes stand out as important. I hope to strike a balance here.
My parents were very affected and injured by their working class backgrounds. They, especially my mother, were always correcting me for buying too much, not turning off lights, or telling me I was just not competent. I had to work on my competency and still suffer greatly from my feelings of inadequacy although I have succeeded in school and some jobs. My fears have caused me to lose some positions. My ex-husband and father of my kids was much more comfortable about life. He did not fear spending money. Together, we have raised children who are very confident in this world. They do not have feelings of inferiority. They grew-up to be works of art.
MORE SURVEY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
January 2008: Do you have any New Years resolutions that concern class and/or classism, and what are they?
December 2007:What does your religious, spiritual or philosophical tradition say to you about simplicity and poverty, especially related to holidays?
November 2007: What did you learn in school about the Native American experience?
October 2007: Have you, a family member or friend ever worked in agriculture? What were the circumstances?
September 2007: How did (or does) your social class impact your educational experiences?
August 2007: What books or films have expanded your understanding of class?
July 2007: How does your current class position effect what kind of vacations you take?
June 2007: How does your class background affect how you use the commons (public spaces, commodities and rights)?
May 2007:How do you see class differences in the way that holidays are celebrated?
April 2007: How does your class affect what you eat?
March 2007:Has class status affected your family's mental health and or access to services? How?
February 2007: How do you feel your class situation has impacted your experience in or with sports?
December 2006: What responsibility do different economic classes bear for reducing their contributions to global warming pollution? Should wealthy people assume more of the cost of fixing the problem?
November 2006: For those who have served (or who are currently serving) in the military: Have you encountered classist attitudes about your choice to serve? For everyone: Do you see a class divide in terms of who serves in the military? What does this mean for the military and the country?
October 2006: How is television perpetuating stereotypes or classist portrayals? What are some examples of characters, storylines, or news stories that you have found particularly troubling?
September 2006: Higher Education can be a class marker, the access channel to "upward" mobility,or class liberator. What are the connections with class and higher education for you?
August 2006: How does class affect how you spend your non-working hours and impact your vacation options?
June 2006: What are the ways that you see class or classism play out in your spiritual community or congregation of faith?
May 2006: When did you first become aware of your class or class differences? How old were you?
February 2006: How do class differences impact your relationships?
January 2006: What privileges should we all have?
Are there any privileges none of us should have?
December 2005 Survey Question:
How do class issues come up for you during the end-of-year "consumer" holidays?
November 2005 Survey Question: Please tell us about your experiences of class, class differences, and classism in your education/school.
October 2005: Tell us about a time you've either been an ally to someone or had someone be an ally to you around issues of class.
September 2005: What are the ways you see the race and class divisions exposed by Katrina?
August 2005: What class did you grow up in? What was good or bad about your class experience growing up?
July 2005: What are your strongest memories connecting race and class?
June 2005: The New York Times and Wall Street Journal each ran their own series on class. What is your response to the recent press on class?
May 2005: The good, the bad, and the ugly of cross-class relating
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