Is Cubs middle class??

[Livpool]

My son is 9, soon to be 10 and we have tried out a few after school clubs for him; local community club with was too much positive mental attitude and martial arts, which became boring. He has just started Cubs locally (only been a couple of times) and has enjoyed it as they’ve done science experiments. Saw a mum friend earlier and she mentioned she wanted something for her son and suggested Cubs and she looked aghast and said I am a middle class wannabe!

I have always considered myself working class - not that I given it much thought and my dad and DH went to Cubs and Scouts and enjoyed it. A few of DS’ school friends do it too and he loves seeing his friends. I’m not going to stop him going or anything but is she right? And if so, are middle class things a bit naff?!

When did ‘middle-class’ become a term of insult? And why are people so proud to identify as ‘working class’? It’s really strange. I come from a working class background, but I can’t say I have any pride in that. I’m not sure what people mean by middle-class’, but I suppose they mean refined, polite and educated. If that is what they mean (rather than just owning a big house and a shiny car), then I wish everyone was ‘middle-class’. I see nothing good in being crude, ill-mannered and ignorant. I hated the council estate on which I was raised. My main memories are of noise, violence and ignorance. To this day I can’t bear the sight of the Sun newspaper because it puts me right back there.

I sometimes wonder if this way of thinking is what holds Britain back. It creates a lack of ambition and an excuse for failure. Too many people seem to be proud of being ignorant, vulgar and foul-mannered. You know, like they’re ‘keeping it real’. How else do you explain a culture that venerates people like Liam Gallagher and Katie Price?

I'd say neither middle nor working class, although groups that are very area specific may have a feeling to them I suppose.

Seems odd to ascribe a social class to every little thing in this way.

OP - you go ahead and have ideas above your station 🤣 and never mind your weird friend! You have the right to have any ideas you like and people who try to make you think you have to toe the line and conform to their quaint ideas about class can jump in the Mersey.

I hope your son enjoys Cubs. I bet he will - and ignore any snide digs.

As I said earlier, the situation is much more nuanced and complex than some people seem to think. Yes, the idea of class is ridiculous and outdated. That does not mean it has no impact on people’s lives.

Does she usually say ridiculous things? So what if it is? I don't understand limiting a child's experience because 'this is not for people like us'.

My brothers used to do it and as a result I had to go to a few Rememberence Sunday type things with them in their uniforms as part of the parade down the esplanade and things like that. So I do think there's an element of them being patriotic to the royal family/army maybe? Which could be seen as middle class. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

Depends on area surely. Our guiding groups mainly mc but reflects area. County trips much more mixed.
Subs are cheap it’s usually cheapest activity and D of E through us is heavily subsidised compared to school.
There’s hardship funds from region we can access if need be.
Glad your son is enjoying it and I’d ignore friend.

😂 the dry ski slopes up here are run by the council and pretty cheap as includes all kit hire other then gloves!
But appreciate that's not common all around the UK and there's lots of youth development due to location and access.

😂 we also have council run golf courses!

I’d imagine it very much depends on the area. My DS’s group has a mix of WC and MC kids at it similar to the local school. Then around 10 miles away is another cubs/scouting group that is firmly MC but it’s in a very “wealthy” village and the local school is also full of MC kids. I’d say they are a reflection of the area they are in.

I think the activities on offer probably do vary depending on the area though so if you’ve only known one in a MC area it might seem like a middle class club with pricey activities even if the weekly subs are minimal. Eg my DC one meets in a hall most week taking advantage of local countryside for walks (all from the hall no transport needed). They attend a cheap local Panto in December and regular camps which aren’t expensive. They might occasionally do a one off paid for activity but it’s rare. The other Scouting group in the MC village often meet miles from their base (parents drop), have a mini van for outings also with a bike trailer (fundraised for this in their local village sponsored by local private businesses) and go to numerous camps including some i’d count as luxury (eg with private sailing tutoring), go to a big city Panto in December and generally have many more expensive one off days out.

Probably very different experiences depending on which group you are member off. I like my DCs mixed background one and I think that’s probably more common than the other one I described.

Ha thanks! I might start searching for middle
class pursuits I can take up to piss her off 😂😂.

I am going to see a surgeon next week as they think my 30 year old injury (from ballet thanks dahlinks) is a tear in my cartilage. I wi try and drop that in next time I see her. She’ll see I have always been middle
class then 😂😂

Hark at you 😂😂

No, I’d say the opposite in fact. It’s only £1.50 PW in our area and mainly low income families that go .

That’s a steal! I love it when areas have things
like this - every area should

Any extra curricular activity that costs money is middle class especially in this economy! lol

Not at all! All of mine were in Scouts from Beavers till Explorers . There was always a good mix of kids & we live in a town classed as deprived but the Scout group was very busy. At that time my last dc left it was £1.50 pw (6 yrs ago) subs & about £50 pa for capitation fees which you could pay up weekly. All trips were planned well in advance & done as cheaply as possible & paid up weekly so not an expensive activity. Our Akeela applied for every grant going so parents weren’t forking out all the time. My DC got a lot out of it & I reccomend it all the time.

My DB went to cubs and we lived in a scheme. News to me!

your mum friend is nuts

@Livpool I hate to say it, but I recognise the inverted snobbery as a Liverpool thing. I grew up in Netherton and then Fazakerley and it was definitely seen as undesirable to aspire to be, or to become, middle class.

Anyway, I now live in Formby and Beavers/Cubs seems to be pretty mixed here. It is one of the cheapest clubs, but if anything, the free activities here seem to be the poshest ones (e.g. the junior cathedral choir).