Social class, cultural capital, and social capital are interconnected. A social class refers to any group with the same access to resources (McIntyre 2011). An example of a resource is access to an education connecting it to cultural capital, a set of knowledge, perspective, norms, language styles, and cultural forms shared by a group (Class Notes 10/18/17). Social capital refers to the resources we have from personal connections. One’s social class, cultural capital, and social capital often link to one’s status, “a position held in the social structure” (McIntyre 2011: 122). While my current social class is the middle class, my past cultural capital and my social capital gained by my statuses at Hanover College, will propel me into my desired …show more content…
According to the Gilbert-Kahl model, a member of the middle class earns a household income, “the amount of money an individual or family receives in wages, salaries, or investments” (McIntyre 2011: 215), around $70,000 per year and works in a skilled position such as a teacher (Class Notes 10/16/17). I fit into this category due to the fact that I am a part of my parent’s household. My mother is a nurse, an occupation which requires several years of education and training to accomplish. My father is a certified CDL truck driver. Earning a CDL requires training and passing a test of certification, therefore, he too is employed in a skilled position. My parent’s income added together is greater than $70,000 a year, but it is not great enough to be members of the upper middle class characterized by an income around $150,000. My parent’s income allowed me opportunities others could not …show more content…
In the future, my goal is to become a pediatric doctor. Typically, professionals such as doctors are categorized into the upper middle class. When I accomplish this goal, I will demonstrate vertical intragenerational mobility. Vertical mobility is a movement up or down in social class; Intragenerational mobility is the movement of class within one’s lifetime (McIntyre 2011). By being a Hanover student, I am connected to alums in my desired field of work. I plan to join a sorority, which will provide me with connections to sisters who graduated before me and those who graduate after me. My peers, fellow softball players, and professors are members who influence my social capital. My resources create a network providing me with connections to jobs, or an upper hand gaining acceptance to another institution to further my