to be suprised at how often 'class' comes up on MN?

[LeoniPoni]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that people who are 'class' aware are snobs or anything, I've just not come across so many conversations centred on it before.

I've never really had an opinion on the class system in this country since I've always had the vague idea that it was mostly a thing of the past. I thought it may be that there are people who are upper class/aristocrats - don't have to work because of inherited money, middle class/working class - people who have to work to get by (whether this is a doctor or a shop assistant) and then lower class - people who can't/don't work and can't support themselves.

This is the first time I've ever really actively gathered my thoughts on it though so I know it's bound to be a flawed way of thinking.

I've just never been made so aware of 'class' as I have been in the last few months that I've been on Mumsnet. It seems to crop up so often. Whether breasfeeding is middle class. Whether Boden is middle class. Whether saying 'hiya' is lower class.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I'm just wondering if it's because of my age (I'm 24) or the fact I'm from a 'working class' background or is it just random that I've not come across (or maybe just not noticed) class divide?

I don't think money is as important as qualifications and then as a consequence, occupation when determining which class you are currently in (versus that into which you were born)

What class would you say Cheryl Cole (Tweedy -whatever) is?

Is she middle class? I don't think so personally.

studies show wc pts get less consultation time with gp.class impacts upon everything.as internal factor of how we see self and external factor of how others see us

I think aspirations are a Big Clue as to true class.

I'm pretty class conscious, I'm middle class but with fuck all money :o

anyway - I think it's so common prolific on MN precisely because it's not something you can talk about in RL.

e.g. at my training course, we were talking about factors affecting a mum's decision to BF or FF - culture, education, family support etc - but as soon as I mentioned class as a possible issue the trainer got all flustered and changed the subject

not so sure about being on guard.i recall asking someone whats that funny knife..to be told fish knife.wow fish knife,cyling christ,if i got a fork dog hadnt had kennomeat off i was chuffed

seriously, you are who you are,individuals have propensity for change inc etiquette blah blah if required to do so.without getting het up about it

Stumbled across this thread and must admit that i have been judged as lower class (if thats right) due to where i live, the fact that i fell pregnant young and the fact that i am now a single parent. However I'm well educated (to higher level), have held down a job since my 1st paper round at 12 and my Ds is extremely polite and well educated. Especially compared to some Dc's i know.

Im 4 months pregnant with my 2nd and am going to have to deal with what people would class "middle/upper class" grandparents for the bump and i can safely say i am terrified i am going to be snered at and seen as not good enough.

Should we really allow people to make us feel inadequate due to where we live etc?

I wonder if social mobility/poverty gap would improve if we were all more open/less embarrassed about class?

like everything grow a thicker skin,cant please everyone.life is about dealing with the interface between private internal self we are and the external we have to present to others

But it is all perception, isn't it?

I mean, I would consider myself to be working class, I think. My family were always quite poor, Dad worked abroad because that's where he could get work in his field, then the work dried up and he spent years in and out of work, often unemployed, having been made redundant several times in a row. Mum had left school at 16, Dad had gone on to study horticulture at college.

I went to state school, lived on a nice estate but we were the poorest there, and really couldn't have kept up with the Jones'. But we were all clean and fed. Education was very important to my Mum & Dad, and I was very academic, so went to University, got a degree, then went on to study for a professional qualification (Nursing).

Now, I would call that working class. But when I was talking to the Head Teacher of a school about my DD1's SEN, she said "She'll be alright. Pushy Middle-class parents will make the LA give the child what they need. As long as you are pushy, she'll be alright."

She had obviously decided I was Middle class (I wonder if it was my Hants accent?).

self internal perception and external perception of others.thats the rub one can steadfastly avow im working class me, and others may not agree