I grew up living in an upper-middle class neighborhood. Sure we went through rough times, like when I lived with my mom, but who doesn't. In fact I still live in an upper-middle class neighborhood. I'm going to a private school next year with quite the price tag, I have all the name brand clothes and purses and shoes I could ask for, and my family goes out to eat quite often. So, yes I do live the privileged life. But this hasn't come easily.
My dad works at a car dealership, and in case you didn't know the car business right now is basically non-existent. We went from making over $100,000 three years ago to making $39,000 last year. We had to down grade vehicles and we lost our house. But we found something that supplements us nicely. My parents started an ebay store to generate some extra revenue. And believe it or not, it really helps. But I still see my dad struggle every day. He can hardly walk b/c his back is so bad yet he works for 12 hours then comes home and does ebay stuff until around midnight then does it over again the next day.
I recently started "working" for my parents..creating the listings for ebay for them to try to eliminate some of the stress. It's hard work and takes a lot of my already scarce spare time. I used to work at Arby's and I never worked this hard there. So when people tell me that's not a job or that it's so easy it really hurts. We struggle a lot to maintain the life we're used to . When I tell people I can't go out to eat or to the movies b/c I can't afford they don't believe me and say I'm just making excuses to not hang out with them.
But most of all, it hurts when people look down on us for what we do. Yeah, I'll admit that it isn't the most appealing thing to talk about...but we are provided for aren't we? I think I really am privileged. I have a family that is willing to go to some pretty great lengths to keep us comfortable. And I have a dad that works damn hard to ensure we never go without. Plus, I've been taught the responsibility of money managment and work ethic...so in my eyes I do have it pretty good...but I just wish more people would stop looking down on us and realize that we work just as hard, if not harder, than them.
This reminds me of that immigrant story by Upton Sinclair, The Jungle. Granted you don't work in a meat packing plant for starvation wages and you're not suited for poor working conditions and you're not Lithuanian. But you, like Jurgis the protagonist, continue to pledge like many middle class families during poor economic conditions, "I will work harder."
Every organism's heartbeat holds a universe of beauty at http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/green-underbelly
thanks...I just wish people wouldn't pre-judge me and my family so much...they have no idea how hard we do work...I've basically sacrificed all social life I have for this...I wish more people would take things into their own hands and find a way around the bad times.
i am the lower class so my mom is one of the many people living pay check to paycheck. the little she makes as a teacher is spent on food, rent and gas which may go up to 4 dollars pretty soon the rate its climbing. itd be nice to have a nicer car, a bigger house and a better life overall but for some of us americans, no matter what we do we'll always end up struggling
Your blog posts because I have been sick. Still am. Sorry!
I have been looked down on all my life because we were poor. We never went out to movies, we never went out to eat, we never did anything. I have never even been on a vacation. I had nice clothes because my parent's made sure that I did. We live in a 200 year old house that our landlord will not fix.
The economy is bad and this is probably why your dad is not doing so well in selling cars. But at least you all are making money!
That reminds me of me working with my mom. She had her own business and also did ebay stuff. But ebay stole her credit card numbers and screwed us. But that is good that you have had nicer stuff. Hang in there!
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
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