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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Does being married to a doctor make you middle class?

137 replies

GirlGeorgina · 19/08/2023 15:05

Like if you got married to a doctor (who is male) and you’re not a doctor yourself, does it make you middle class now?

I am not married but someone who is marrying a doctor but not a doctor herself said it makes you middle class too.

Yes it does - YANBU

No it doesn’t - YABU

OP posts:
Daisyhillsareblooming · 19/08/2023 15:42

Ha ha, I am married to a consultant and neither of us is middle class. In fact we hate the labelling of classes like this and are both very down to earth.

Whatsthepoint1234 · 19/08/2023 15:48

I’m married to a Dr (he’s from a very mc background), I’m foreign but from a working class family in my country. I’m not a doctor. However I am a surgical nurse and I know a couple of surgeons who’ve had very working class upbringings (though most are admittedly quite ‘posh’). Class is a social thing from my understanding and my husband would describe people like Katie Price as working class despite their lifestyle. So no, I don’t think marrying a dr makes you mc as I know working class doctors.

Whatsthepoint1234 · 19/08/2023 15:49

However why does it matter? Class is a very outdated concept!!

bleuclair · 19/08/2023 15:51

A person with a working class background (council estate raised), and a regional accent might be technically middle class once qualified as a doctor, based on socioeconomic tables, but in the real world they wouldn't be accepted as middle class by many. It's not just about occupation or wealth.

A vague acquaintance of mine fits that very scenario (became a GP), and now describes herself as middle class. It doesn't sit comfortably with her working class family or her middle class friends and colleagues.

HarrietJet · 19/08/2023 15:52

Whatsthepoint1234 · 19/08/2023 15:48

I’m married to a Dr (he’s from a very mc background), I’m foreign but from a working class family in my country. I’m not a doctor. However I am a surgical nurse and I know a couple of surgeons who’ve had very working class upbringings (though most are admittedly quite ‘posh’). Class is a social thing from my understanding and my husband would describe people like Katie Price as working class despite their lifestyle. So no, I don’t think marrying a dr makes you mc as I know working class doctors.

Of course. And nobody but aspirational halfwits give a toss.

DinoDaddy · 19/08/2023 15:53

I am a Dr and I am working class.

Anxioys · 19/08/2023 15:55

Its embarrassing she's even thought what her potential husband does reflects on her. It's his achievement.

What does she do that she's so anxious about class?

bleuclair · 19/08/2023 15:57

It is embarrassing that she's given it any thought. There are so many people like that though.

SerenityNowInsanityLater · 19/08/2023 15:58

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 19/08/2023 15:59

She might be marrying a dr but she’ll never be accepted into polite society.

Have you seen Harry Enfields richer than you on YouTube?

Blondewithredlips · 19/08/2023 16:03

TreesandFish · 19/08/2023 15:18

The middle class is often defined by occupation, income, education, or social status.

So in this case, HE has the right occupation, maybe Income, definitely education and maybe social status.

She might eventually have that as well, but if she is not educated, I don't think the other areas will make up for it.

Whether educated or not, she does sound quite dim

This.

FloNightingale · 19/08/2023 16:05

Why does the sex of the Doctor matter?

Itsnotrightbutitsok · 19/08/2023 16:06

I didn’t know WC doctors was even a thing! Lol
I’m really shocked at that and quite happy to know that.

I would definitely say becoming or marrying a doctor makes you MC.

I don’t think it matters at all but I do think being a doctor is one of the few professions that does change your class or definitely your childrens class.

Thelaundryfairyhasbeenassassinated · 19/08/2023 16:13

Itsnotrightbutitsok

I didn’t know WC doctors was even a thing! Lol
I’m really shocked at that and quite happy to know that

Your shocked that working class people produce children who are capable of becoming doctors?

Seriously what year are people living in here.

rainyskylight · 19/08/2023 16:16

@Thelaundryfairyhasbeenassassinated did you not read what she said immediately after that? It’s clear that in her view becoming a doctor immediately means becoming MC. And as the definitions take profession into account then it’s a fair view to take.

HarrietJet · 19/08/2023 16:16

Itsnotrightbutitsok · 19/08/2023 16:06

I didn’t know WC doctors was even a thing! Lol
I’m really shocked at that and quite happy to know that.

I would definitely say becoming or marrying a doctor makes you MC.

I don’t think it matters at all but I do think being a doctor is one of the few professions that does change your class or definitely your childrens class.

Bless... Now that you know this you can safely put it out of your head, because it doesn't matter.

Custardslices · 19/08/2023 16:16

Crikey we accept guys

We even accept and operate for people to change sex

But we yes we still in 2023 put people into a class box

I'm upper dharlings

Custardslices · 19/08/2023 16:17

Gays*

This blastard autocorrect

HarrietJet · 19/08/2023 16:18

Nobody changes sex. Nobody.

AttractiveAlpaca · 19/08/2023 16:18

This is the second thread today on AIBU about middle class signifiers.

In both cases, the OP has not returned to the thread.

Expect to see a feature soon in the Daily Fail How to spot if you are middle class (Hint: you won't be reading that right wing rag)

WenchEyeBall · 19/08/2023 16:19

The only reason I worked my arse off for my PhD was to become middle class. Didn't really feel like I'd made it though. So now DH is going for his doctorate. Fingers crossed we start shopping in waitrose

DrSbaitso · 19/08/2023 16:22

GalileoHumpkins · 19/08/2023 15:09

What's the obsession with being middle class, it's all a bit pathetic, isn't it?

Hi, welcome to Mumsnet. And yes.

Custardslices · 19/08/2023 16:30

HarrietJet · 19/08/2023 16:18

Nobody changes sex. Nobody.

I need more information

Please educate me

BarbaraofSeville · 19/08/2023 16:35

Well it's not like they're having Y chromosomes removed or inserted is it?

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 19/08/2023 16:39

Love to know how people are changing sex too 😂