Meritocracy and Class Stratification

Topic: Class

Source: Cultural Anthro, Richard Robbins (p. 153 – 177)
Irvine Spectrum Center
Starbucks
CSU Fullerton

Relation: As Robbins explains, social classes are a “system of social stratification based on income or possession of wealth and resources,” (Robbins 155). Some societies allow their citizens social mobility, meaning that citizens have the capacity to ascend or descend through the classes. Other societies are organized into a caste system. The caste system is “a system of social stratification based on assignment at birth to the ranked social or occupational groups of parents,” (Robbins 156). In addition, intermarriage between different castes is not permitted. In many cases, this division of classes leads to inequality.

Description: This field study was conducted over a period of five days at three different locations. It began on Thursday night at approximately 9:00pm when I departed for the Irvine Spectrum Center. The field study ended on Monday night at approximately 7:00pm. The reason for this extended timeframe is that some days I was unable to find willing participants.
I met Peggy* at Starbucks. Peggy described her class as a combination of middle and working class. She has a post-high school education. In addition, her parents were homeowners. These are status markers of the middle class. However, Peggy also describes herself as working class. She “works her ass off” but is underpaid. She described these as characteristics of working class individuals. She also mentioned that when she thinks about working class individuals, she often imagines illegal immigrants. In addition, she describes working class people as people without cars who use public transportation. She believes that social mobility exists in America. Her parents were originally from the lower or working class, but they rose to the middle class through hard work and involvement in the military.
I also met Bill* at Starbucks. Bill described himself as a combination of lower and working class. Bill has worked in lower class jobs such as retail. In addition, Bill says that lower class people tend to inhabit apartments rather than homes. Bill added that he is often underpaid for his work. Bill imagines lower class people as being uneducated, illegal immigrants and recipients of welfare. Bill does not believe that social mobility exists.
I met Ted* and Josh* near the carousal at the Irvine Spectrum Center. Initially, they agreed to answer a few questions to help me with my Cultural Anthropology blog. However, after we found an empty table and they got a chance to view the questions, they decided that this discussion was not for them. I informed them that I would not use their real names in the final product, but they still refused to participate.
I met Eric* at CSU Fullerton. He described himself as belonging to the middle class. He believes that his parents’ income level and affluence in the local community put him at this level. He believes that social mobility is possible in America. He believes that education and social welfare allow people to ascend the social ladder. Eric also believes that government has a duty to provide its citizens with opportunities to acquire resources.
I met Michael* at CSU Fullerton as well. Michael also described himself as belonging to the middle class. His father has a blue collar job. Michael owns a truck. While he believes that more money would benefit him and his family, he admits that they are not hurting for money. Michael believes that America offers social mobility. Education allows people to advance and climb the social ladder. Michael believes that it is government’s duty to provide people with the opportunities to acquire resources. It is the individual’s responsibility to take advantage of this.
I met Jamal* at CSU Fullerton. It was interesting speaking with Jamal. At first, he considered himself lower class but quickly changed it to middle class. While his income is low, his combined expenses and debt are lower. Interestingly enough, Jamal does not feel that government should provide people with resources. He feels that as a society, we should rely on each other and work together.
I met Brad* at CSU Fullerton. Brad identified himself as a member of the upper class. Brad associates suits, smart phones, luxury cars, post-high school education, and specific brands of clothing with his class. He believes that social mobility is possible through education. Brad believes that there are cases in which government needs to provide individuals with resources and cases where government needs to provide individuals with opportunities to acquire resources.

*The names of participants have been changed to protect their identities. I chose to conceal their identities in order to encourage participants to speak freely and truthfully.

Commentary/Analysis: When I created these questions, I assumed that all my participants would classify themselves as middle- or upper class. It costs a lot of money to live in Orange County. I was a bit shocked that some participants considered themselves to be lower class and working class. As Paul Willis’s study of working class students reveals, “Working class youth glorify manual labor as manly,” (Robbins 159). Bill and Peggy both identified as working class; however, both have some post-high school education. Neither of them have a job in manual labor.
I assumed that all my participants would recognize social mobility in “our” society. However, Bill surprised me with his belief that citizens don’t have social mobility. This came as a great shock because Bill’s parents are middle class. How did Bill descend in class if there is no social mobility? In caste systems, social roles are assigned at birth. In addition, “there is no mobility from one caste to another,” (Robbins 156). Does Bill believe that our society resembles a caste society?
The US government has a strong affinity toward capitalism. The government takes a very laissez-faire approach to business, meaning that businesses are often given the freedom of self-regulation. It is because of this, that I believed all my participants would say that it is the government’s duty is to provide citizens with opportunities to acquire resources rather than to provide resources. It was rather shocking to see the results. While all my participants believed that it was the government’s role to provide opportunities to acquire resources, all made cases for occasions where the government should provide resources. I found that to be very interesting. Some acknowledged that affirmative action was needed immediately after the Civil Rights movement. Others argued that illegal immigrants need amnesty to be able to take full advantages of opportunities available to American citizens.
As Americans we have this long-standing perception that hard work will be rewarded. While some believe in the meritocracy is a myth, others believe meritocracy is a way of life. Every day, many of these participants overcome adversity in their struggles to ascend the social ladder.