In the 2009 novel, The Help, the differences based on social class are highlighted.
The problems the upper-middle to upper class faces are much different compared to the problems faced by their workers, members of the working poor. While the upper-middle and upper class women worry about their social standings, appearance, being rejected by members of their high society group, and sharing bathrooms with black women. The working poor have different stressors that relate to their low income such as feeding their children and the treatment of their bosses. The book also shows examples of who is in the different social classes. Minorities are more likely to be in the working poor or underclass than whites. The setting is in 1960s Mississippi, which explains why the treatment of their black employees, known as "the help", was generally seen as acceptable. Racial and ethnic discrimination plays a part in the system that allows a gap in the income received which is still an issue in the United States. Poverty around the world influences the choices, decisions, and opportunities of those affected. The disproportionate pay women and minorities receive compared to men is possibly the biggest factor influencing their income level. Women and minorities statistically make less money than white …show more content…
In order to prevent the upward social mobility of people with lower incomes, restrictions are set by those stratified in the upper class. The upper class is the most powerful of the social classes and influences the economy and people in other social classes greatly. People in this social class are often politically active and use their wealth to exert their power. According to conflict theory, the members of the upper class prefer to socialize amongst each other in order to prevent the transfer of power to people with lesser
The problems the upper-middle to upper class faces are much different compared to the problems faced by their workers, members of the working poor. While the upper-middle and upper class women worry about their social standings, appearance, being rejected by members of their high society group, and sharing bathrooms with black women. The working poor have different stressors that relate to their low income such as feeding their children and the treatment of their bosses. The book also shows examples of who is in the different social classes. Minorities are more likely to be in the working poor or underclass than whites. The setting is in 1960s Mississippi, which explains why the treatment of their black employees, known as "the help", was generally seen as acceptable. Racial and ethnic discrimination plays a part in the system that allows a gap in the income received which is still an issue in the United States. Poverty around the world influences the choices, decisions, and opportunities of those affected. The disproportionate pay women and minorities receive compared to men is possibly the biggest factor influencing their income level. Women and minorities statistically make less money than white …show more content…
In order to prevent the upward social mobility of people with lower incomes, restrictions are set by those stratified in the upper class. The upper class is the most powerful of the social classes and influences the economy and people in other social classes greatly. People in this social class are often politically active and use their wealth to exert their power. According to conflict theory, the members of the upper class prefer to socialize amongst each other in order to prevent the transfer of power to people with lesser