The Documentary People Like Us: Social Class In America

The documentary People Like Us: Social Class in America points out the existence of several cultural levels among our population. Moreover, the film provides a detailed look at the lives of families in each of these levels and what they represent. Featured families range from one living in a small trailer with no running water to the other with its members riding through The Hamptons while in the backseat of a convertible. Naturally, each of these groups possess the qualities and manners pertinent to their subculture. One of the points stresses the fact that a person cannot change their social class and that they are permanently locked-in right where they were born. Another focuses around a sense of social belongingness and acceptance by the elite. It also describes that a person can potentially change their class by becoming wealthy or marrying someone rich. Overall, the documentary’s positive outlook confirms that anyone has a potential of advancing themselves up our social ladder. Each social level is described and defined using material and immaterial culture. In my opinion, a combination of both of these factors truly constitutes the …show more content…
I think his opinion is based on the fact that such mobility isn’t common and most people remain on the level of their families and ancestors. The documentary confirms this by doing a follow-up with the Crabtree family in 2013. Tammy and her sons continued living in the similar poor conditions. While there was a change to their material culture, the overall status remained as poverty. In my opinion, opportunities in the United Stated make it possible for anyone to advance their social class by setting successful goals and trying one’s best to reach them. It’s easy to sit back, relax and take it easy, but to me, hard work and dedication make social mobility