To find the term 'underclass' offensive and to think teachers shouldn't be teaching students about it?

[Opalite]

I was talking to DD and she was saying how her teacher told the class about 'underclass, working class, middle class and upper class' we were watching TV and it mentioned middle class, DD said that we're underclass and her teacher had told her about it yesterday
Is it outdated? I find it offensive and I don't think it's right for her teacher to be telling them these things as if they're facts or as if they matter

But what was the teacher meant to say if the concept of the class system came up in a book mlb? Surely she couldn't say "oh that was a thing that Evelyn Waugh (or whoever) thought was real but actually it's bollocks so we'll ignore it"?

OP: any particular reason why you've not answered the earlier questionsabout age of DDand text being studied?

Both those things seem very pertinent to whether anyone was BU.

Can I just ask. Im not goading. In a sentence how would you use the word 'underclass' to describe someone without making someone feel like shite. Please put underclass in the sentance. Answers please ladies/gentleman

I just don't believe the teachers said that the students were part of the underclass. No way.

How would you define me. I have a professional job looking after my own clients in Laboratory and Chemical Sales. I dress well and look respectable. I am a single parent on one wage. I have high rent and all the usual outgoings. I am going to work and just about surviving rather than living. I am so skint. If you saw me you would think that I look quite well off 'well that is what i have been told'. I am actually really hard up. What section of society would you put me in. Answers please because i do not know

It's not defined purely by economics, Mylovelyboy.

What was your education? What are your interests? What do you read? How do you bring up your children?

I know its not about me. Im not waiting for someone to label me a member of the underclass, just interested as to what category i would come into. I was state school educated. I was bought up on a council estate. Employment: A Lloyds Insurane Broker for 25 years until career change as above, I like cycling, cooking, nice restaurants amongst many other things. My son enjoys sport and has two horses and I bring him up to respect people and enjoy himself. He belongs to many clubs. Never said it was about me. Was just wondering. MrsDeVere you are being very prickly for no reason.

Should you define yourself as Lumpenproletariat

definition is fucking awesome

And if you are wondering. My sons father pays for his horses and clubs and I cannot remember when i last went to a nice restaurant.

I think you're middle class, Mylovelyboy.

It seems very unfair that your son has such expensive hobbies when you are so skint.

custardo what do you mean. Why are people on here so rude. I think Mrs DeVere is Voilet Crawley from Downton Abbey

When it comes to individuals, class definitions are rarely adequate.

I am not a lady.

But if you were looking at literature of the 1920s and 30s, or any 20thC European war literature, then underclass and untermenschen are vitally important concepts.

That's why I was wondering if OP was going to come back to specify text/s and age of pupil.

Class indicators in Victoran literature is also an interesting field, but probably more university thn school. And I suppse that could be extrapolated to any period, but the Victorian manifestations are (arguably!) the most interesting.

I thought that the definition of an underclass was those people who took money from the government to support themselves. So people who claimed benefits regardless if they were because of disability or because you are a single parent, it wouldn't matter if that person had a degree from oxford, if they were taking from society rather than giving they were part of tge underclass. I believed it was a term bassed on taxes rather than any intention to insult people.

Just to come back to the thread title, I think it's to suggest that because you are, as an individual, offended by something, it shouldn't be taught.

Take that to its logical conclusion...

My ex-dp pays for my sons clubs. The horses live on the tight bastards his land. Very generous to ds. I am badly skint. I make sure ds knows he is very lucky. DS age 13 knows I struggle and is a lovely boy. Not the brat im probably portraying.

Whats wrong with asking for 'answers' also adding a please at the end. What is your problem with me MrsDeVere. I do not understand your tone to be honest.

Agree letsface

Custardo you are very quiet all of a sudden.

Mylovelyboy as a bystander to the technical intricacies of the definitions of class I would place you as upper working / middle class. Why did you want to know?

Shiny Because I think not just for myself but for others. How would one define oneself. Not that i have really thought about it much before to be honest. To busy to worry about such stuff. Just reading through all of the posts made me wonder what category i would be placed in. Im sure it must of crossed a some of your minds about yourselves. Thats it really.