The status of the power elite has been maintained for decades. People who exist outside of the elitist group have wondered about how such a group is not only maintained, but similar in characteristics. Some people may argue that working hard is the only way to ensure success and entry into the upper-class, since people in the upper-class may have had similar experiences when working towards being successful. Although it may seem that working hard is the only way to gain entry into the higher class, Laura Rivera emphasizes that the status of the higher class and its segregation from the lower class is actually intentionally maintained by elite family lineages who raise their children to one day become elite, and corporate recruiters who serves
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During the mid-1800’s, the families of those who would eventually become an executive started to immigrate to America. Despite that there were many immigrants who were from multiple racial and religious backgrounds, many of the immigrants were Europeans that were Protestant who were mostly born into upper-class families. As a result, their children had many opportunities for education (both from educational institutions and mannerisms that were taught by their parents) and wealth that will be eventually inherited. (Mills 97) These same children from Protestant families would make up the majority of business executives in the 1950’s (Mills 127-129). With the correlation between whiteness, Protestantism, and wealth being relatively high, the concept of elitism started to be defined as a distinguished group that was differentiated by special traits, which were mainly based on wealth, family lineage, and interests. Although the concept of elitism was not immediately recognizable in the past, the concept of elitism was established, which laid down the foundation that consisted of the credentials in which elite groups were to be created by. These processes are evident in Rivera’s work Pedigree, where she explains the recurring cycle of an elitist upbringing, which eventually leads to the maintaining of elitist groups through the development of individuals within wealthy family lineages, college admission choices based on socioeconomic background, and character-based recruiting that are conducted by elite corporate
During the mid-1800’s, the families of those who would eventually become an executive started to immigrate to America. Despite that there were many immigrants who were from multiple racial and religious backgrounds, many of the immigrants were Europeans that were Protestant who were mostly born into upper-class families. As a result, their children had many opportunities for education (both from educational institutions and mannerisms that were taught by their parents) and wealth that will be eventually inherited. (Mills 97) These same children from Protestant families would make up the majority of business executives in the 1950’s (Mills 127-129). With the correlation between whiteness, Protestantism, and wealth being relatively high, the concept of elitism started to be defined as a distinguished group that was differentiated by special traits, which were mainly based on wealth, family lineage, and interests. Although the concept of elitism was not immediately recognizable in the past, the concept of elitism was established, which laid down the foundation that consisted of the credentials in which elite groups were to be created by. These processes are evident in Rivera’s work Pedigree, where she explains the recurring cycle of an elitist upbringing, which eventually leads to the maintaining of elitist groups through the development of individuals within wealthy family lineages, college admission choices based on socioeconomic background, and character-based recruiting that are conducted by elite corporate