To think lockdown has revealed a glaring class difference?

[TexanBlueNeck]

Filled in a survey & read some of the latest "lifestyle" columnists in UK (digital) newspapers.

No, some people are not using lockdown to browse around buying clothes and home accessories or patter about experimenting with new recipe ideas from inventive food combinations or try out a new food box delivery service.

Some of us are at breaking point between juggling childcare duties, supporting vulnerable or elderly relatives and neighbours, working from home or not at all, using the last tin of smartprice tomatoes that could be bought at an empty supermarket shelf (in person, because full-time worker parents aren't a priority group). While worrying about job security. Not whether to buy new sofa cushions while the cockpot experiment cooks!

I honestly think some commentators' experience of lockdown isn't even on the same planet as a huge portion of the rest of the (working class) UK

Isn't that income not class?

Well no, it wouldn’t be would it?

That's income and/or situation (caring for relatives/work situation) not class related.

Why would middle class people not have childcare/relative care/wfh difficulties?

And some people write made up nonsense - a bit like people’s instagram feed where they look like they are living the perfect life.

Not sure it’s a revelation as such, but yes I def feel the difference. My sthm friends in 5 bedroom houses with huge gardens sure has a different ride than I do trying to fit in a full time job with homeschooling and looking after a toddler in a cramped flat with no garden. Sending a hug ❤️. It’s tough times for sure.

No, some people are not using lockdown to browse around buying clothes and home accessories, or patter about experimenting with new recipe ideas from inventive food combinations, or try out a new food box delivery service.

Well, that pretty much sums up lockdown to us. Neither of us can work at the moment, and we're not sick either. So it's like a holiday where we can't leave the house.

I don't think it's anything to do with class, though, it just depends on what job you do and whether you can work at the moment or not.

Everyone's situations are different.

I'm not sure it's a 'class' difference at all tbh - more dependant on your situation.

I know plenty of working class people (me included) who are in secure jobs and remaining fully paid whilst either working from home or not working at all.

Money-wise, people right at the bottom of the sliding scale are surely likely to be the least affected as UC and other benefits go on as normal - hardly a situation where the 'lower classes' are more affected.

I agree, it's income not class.

I'm part of the underclass and a lifelong claimer of benefits. My only worries about this lockdown are when can I get my next food delivery slot and which video game just I play next.

I'm in a unique position where my income will stay exactly the same and I have no other responsibilities but I'm in no way middle/upper class.

It’s not about class but income. Younger people who live at home and work in office jobs that allow work from home do have a lot of disposable income.

@TexanBlueNeck I've been thinking that since the shit hit the fan. Doubt it will mobilise any sort of change though.

Oh and meant to say i think it’s more an income/circumstances rather than class. I’m same class as my friends (I think?) but didn’t marry a hedgefund manager so 🤷‍♀️

You just sound a bit bitter tbh, sorry that other people aren't apparently struggling like you are but that means nothing about their class does it

You're right. I should have really written income level then. You're right

Rich/poor.
The poorer can't do two months shopping just in case of afford to live without a wage.

I think some who were considered safe before, airline industry etc are going to get a shock when they start to navigate the benefits system.

Those columnists are casting around for something light and diverting to write - which will also appeal to the currently vanishing advertisers that still support those newspapers ( whether the digital version or print )

I'm middle class AF but I'm struggling to juggle childcare and work and finding home schooling difficult because I'm out of the house 7-7, the kids are basically just doing colouring in at school and I'm trying to do the home schooling in the evening when I come home absolutely exhausted.

But at least we have a garden and a trampoline and lots of activities and a wide choice of screens.

And I'm doing my food shopping almost exclusively at the m and s simply food at work.

Some things the same, some things different

Income related. I am trying to do extra hours on my working days to help out. On my days off I am managing the kids, working on phonics with dd, practicing the alphabet with ds and playing with them, encouraging them to speak and explain things. I have also been looking at things like a lamp for my living room but am not buying yet as I want to build up our savings. It helps save me from boredom to have a pinterest board and think about what I can do to our house once this is over. It helps to have something to look forward to. My job will still be here after the pandemic is over and dh's job is secure. If that wasn't the case things would be worse for us. If anything it just goes to show how so any people are one wage packet away from losing everything.

Isn't that always the case though? Magazines are always full of clothes/holidays/houses which are beyond my budget.

I just think class is one of the elements that make the difference.
I'm a key worker and will be working from home some of the time, DP is retired, as our adult DC have left home we have plenty of space- we have a garden and allotment- we also have an elderly DM to keep an eye on- so on the whole the lockdown is not too bad for us. But if our DC had been much younger it would be very different, and that's not a class thing. Money means you can buy your way out of some problems, but it won't always help. I can't find any hand gel AT ALL. No amount of money or class privilege will alter that.

I don't think it's to do with class.

I am probably middle class and in the exceptionally fortunate position to have a secure income and no financial worries.

I am still juggling childcare/home learning with my son alongside dealing with a family bereavement this week, supporting elderly relatives and working from home. My DH is with me but we are juggling all of the above and it isn't easy.

We are certainly not buying new clothes/non-essential items. For food, we are using local shops and lidl as they seem to be quieter and well stocked.

Everyone's situation is different and everyone will have their own struggles with the current situation. I suppose all any of us can do is try to make the best of it.

I think the divisions are between those who have no or little outside space and those who have a lot. We have a lot and are not struggling mentally at all.

I don't think it's just class actually. DH and I are financially secure but the 'lets take advantage of all the extra time' stuff is alien to us. We're doing shifts round each other so we can work and look after the kids and it is exhausting. Those lifestyle pieces are always such fantasy though, it's like Grazia showing photos of dresses that cost hundreds of pounds when their average reader is on £20kpa.

It's income and circumstances based, not class.

For example we're fortunate that I'm on maternity leave and DH can work from home and we are being inventive with what we can put in the slow cooker because most day's dinner is a larder/freezer challenge.

I know people on lower incomes who are less affected because their wages and outgoings have stayed the same but also know middle earners who are worried because their wages have dropped and they've still got a higher overheads to pay (although this being MN I'm sure someone will show up saying to check their privilege because they have a mortgage and other people live in cardboard boxes, and someone else will ask why on earth they don't have 5 months income saved for a rainy day 😂🙄)