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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

The class system in the UK needs a revolution

91 replies

Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 20:19

So, lots of things have had me pondering this. I studied Sociology in my first degree. One thing that always caught my attention was the statistics that were stacked against anyone trying to ‘climb’ social classes. Everything is stacked against you.

I find it so hard to understand why single mothers are constantly painted as scroungers and the enemy of the state, when the majority work and just are completely failed by the misogynistic, not fit for purpose, CMS system that basically leaves them bringing up their children with all the financial, emotional and logistical responsibilities, that the fathers don’t have… and no one makes them. There’s so many other things that boil my blood, like blaming addicts and low income families, disability’s and everyone else at the ‘bottom of the pile’ to justify why resources shouldn’t go to them.

I dip in and out of this forum but I’m drawn to it because time and time again I hear the ‘middle class’ objectives and excuses.

It’s like Mancock being in the jungle. As long as I maintain my upper class charm while eating a kangaroo penis, all is good with the world, ignore everything that went on before… we don’t talk about that. Slap on the back, and on your way 🫡.

Am I unreasonable to think there needs to be a ‘levelling up’? Mancock is private educated with the world at his feet, IF we actually had a system where a ‘level up’ politician- was even possible, single mother, who was from a working class background was in the same position as him… would she have been redeemed in the same way?

I think not… time for a revolution? 🤔

OP posts:
Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 21:58

Have you?

OP posts:
Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 22:00

agreed!

OP posts:
senua · 30/11/2022 22:03

Well, I'm totally convinced by OP's carefully thought through one-liners.
Toastandavocado for P.M.

Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 22:05

Thanks Senua, knew it…

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ScarlettSunset · 30/11/2022 22:09

I'm not sure I understand. Are you saying a working class, single mum wouldn't be redeemed by eating kangaroo penis? I doubt many would have been in the same position as him in the first place.

I don't really think of people as being defined by class, except maybe royalty anyway. While I was raised in what most people would say was a working class household, it was just my family, and I don't think about it beyond that.

Some people have lots of money, some have very little, and there's also some in between. I'm pretty sure there are people from all walks of life in each of those groups.

Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 22:16

Just watching the news and people being evicted from their homes. Heartbreaking. Pondering whether they’re working class? 🤔

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Catcharolo · 30/11/2022 22:20

I think you don’t get what class means.

It has nothing to with how much money you have. Lots of very upper class people
are totally skint and can’t afford to heat
their houses.
Lots of working class people have nice warm homes and multiple holidays.

I think you just mean the rich poor divide. Thats not class.

Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 22:21

❤️

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Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 22:22

It’s class in the UK…

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Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 22:25

It’s class in the uk with regards to opportunities and life chances, and making the ‘rules’ for everyone else, and a step up in life… class is still hugely important but n the UK.

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MarshaMelrose · 30/11/2022 22:25

One post you're saying if you can pay your heating bill, you can move from working/middle class to upper class.
Another post you agree you can only be born into upper class.
You seem quite confused by the class system you claim to have studied.
I never hear anyone in real life label another person with a class. Only on MN is it an obsession - along with the poster devoutly swearing they themselves are working class.

Hbh17 · 30/11/2022 22:26

Social class isn't really anything to do with how much money a person has. And the politics of envy are extremely unattractive.

ScarlettSunset · 30/11/2022 22:26

Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 22:16

Just watching the news and people being evicted from their homes. Heartbreaking. Pondering whether they’re working class? 🤔

It's very sad when people lose their homes.
It's sad for anyone it happens to, whatever their background.

Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 22:27
  • in the UK
OP posts:
Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 22:28

Of course it is!

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Luredbyapomegranate · 30/11/2022 22:31

Have you been to the US? Because if you think the UK has a problem with inequality and our welfare state is crap.. you have no idea.

Not to say we don’t need to sort it out, but no, a ‘class system revolution’, whatever you actually mean by that vague phrase, is not likely to crack it.

Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 22:32

Only on MN do I encounter posters like you that feel compelled to comment on a post with no attempt to answer it, or give a different perspective, just bash the poster. Where did I swear I was working class? Ffs 🤦‍♀️

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Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 22:33

I was reading about this tonight.I actually thought the US was better. Apparently not.

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FiveMins · 30/11/2022 22:34

UrsulaPandress · 30/11/2022 21:34

You sound quite cross.

We need to be a bit more than fucking cross at the inequity in this country.

UrsulaPandress · 30/11/2022 22:34

😂

Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 22:35

🤜🤛

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UrsulaPandress · 30/11/2022 22:35

That was for the OP

CanTheMousePLEASEGoToHell · 30/11/2022 22:36

Luckydip1 · 30/11/2022 20:38

I thought poor single mothers go to the top of the list for council housing and lots of benefits already.

Erm no. They’ll be put in Band B for council housing and that’s if they’re lucky. That’s still a 4/5 year wait depending on where they live

Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 22:37

🥰 thanks

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Toastandavocado · 30/11/2022 22:38

Exactly ☹️

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