In America, the question of social status is wide open, eternally unresolved, informalized - since no one has any.although studies indicate that social mobility is no more fluid in america than anywhere else, and less so than many places, americans at least bask in the freedom of no formal class structure, our highly touted classless society.
not only is america brimming with class consciousness, there is in america a celebrity class,a cult of fame. But at least its informal, voluntary, unrecognized. in america there are more ways to upwardly socially mobilize than you can shake a stick at.
social status in america once upon a time was achievable through piety, reverence, and devotion, but no more.
now its all about money, and conspicuous consumption, a trait which blossomed in america during the post civil war industrial revolution, when consumer wealth started pouring off the assembly lines.
i once saw a photograph of my grandmother, taken about 1910, when she was about twenty years old. she was posing, hands on hips, long straight hair down nearly to her feet, victorian dress covering everything. she was trying to be attractive, and succeeding.
my grandmother incessantly sought social status, primarily within her small town baptist church. her husband was a successful attorney, which held up that end of the bargain. christianity piety plus respected profession equal social status. even the house and car did not need to be fancy, merely respectable. in the nineteenth century there wasn't enough material wealth floating around upon which to predicate social status.
looks and money mattered less back then, religious piety and respectability of career mattered more.
now, anything goes job wise and religion wise; its all aobut looks and money now. the young folks have the looks, the old people have the money, so myabe it all balances out.
maybe the day will come when social status is accorded all, regardless. its seems doubtful.
Bb
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