Social Class- November 26

          Last week in class we have talked a lot about social class and distribution of wealth. These past couple of days we have been working on a project that has really opened up my eyes. I never really knew what class to consider myself in and wasn't very educated on how much everything costs once we grow up.

          My group and I were assigned a family in the middle class which, like the name conveys, is not the best but not the worst. There are other groups in class that can barely provide the bare minimum of essentials for their families. Seeing and calculating how expensive everything is has really changed the way I think about things. Growing up in an area like Long Grove, I had never really thought about the families who are different than mine. Even when I came to Stevenson, I overlooked the people who aren't as privileged as I am and have been caught up in the stereotype that everyone has money because we live in a wealthy area. Obviously we do live in a wealthy area, but there are definitely people that go to Stevenson who aren't as fortunate as others. But nevertheless, I have began to truly appreciate the privileges and opportunities available to me. I think about things that are a part of my everyday life that may be a luxury to others. It is important to realize the differences in wealth around us and that we be thankful for whatever we do have.