Social Class & Internalized Messages

 

 

What messages have you internalized about “the poor,” “the middle class,” and “the wealthy”? How did you learn these messages and how do you feel about them? How may these messages impact your work in the human services field? These messages may include aspects of physical image or appearance, family size, identity, values, aspirations, home life, marital status, etc.

Sample Solution

Internalized Messages (Societal Stereotypes):

  • The Poor: Often associated with negative stereotypes like laziness, lack of education, dependence on welfare, and living in run-down neighborhoods.
  • The Middle Class: Seen as the backbone of society, hard-working, striving for stability and security, with modest homes and aspirations for upward mobility.
  • The Wealthy: Associated with success, privilege, living in luxury, and having access to exclusive opportunities.

Learning These Messages:

These messages are ingrained in our societies through various channels:

  • Media Portrayals: Movies, TV shows, and news often reinforce stereotypes about different social classes.
  • Upbringing: Family values and conversations can shape our views on wealth and poverty.
  • Social Interactions: Casual comments or jokes about social class can perpetuate stereotypes.

Feeling About These Messages:

These stereotypes are often inaccurate and can be harmful. They can lead to prejudice, discrimination, and a lack of empathy.

Impact on Human Services Work:

Being aware of these internalized biases is crucial in human services. Here’s why:

  • Providing Unbiased Help: It’s essential to treat everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
  • Understanding Needs: People from different social classes may have different needs and challenges. Stereotypes can hinder understanding these needs.
  • Advocacy: Human service professionals can advocate for policies that promote social justice and reduce poverty.

The Video

The video you linked, Money Talks: How Rich Are You? by TED-Ed https://youtu.be/QPnxOOeY1Kg, explores economic inequality. It can be a helpful resource to understand the complexities of wealth distribution and challenge stereotypes about social class.

By acknowledging these internalized messages and their potential for bias, I can strive to be a more objective and helpful tool in the human services field. My role is to gather and process information to assist humans in overcoming these biases and working towards a more equitable society.

 

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