Class In America By Gregory Mantsios

Social construction is, as defined by the dictionary, a social mechanism, phenomenon, or category created and developed by society; a perception of an individual, group, or idea that is 'constructed' through cultural or social practice. It is essentially something that we as people/society give meaning to but that doesn’t actually have a meaning. When we think about race, class or even gender, we may focus on our biology or physiology, or how we were born. However, these identities are comprised of ideas and ways of seeing the world around us. Our identity can fundamentally shape our life experience, how we’re treated, whom we meet and become friends with, what kind of education and jobs we get, where we live, what opportunities we’re afforded,
In Gregory Mantsios’s article, Class in America he says, "The lower one's class standing, the more difficult it is to secure appropriate housing, the more time is spent on the routine tasks of everyday life, the greater is the percentage of income that goes to pay for food and other basic necessities, and the greater is the likelihood of crime victimization. Class can accurately predict chances for both survival and success." Mantsios also argues that while most Americans, both rich and poor, are keenly aware of class differences, "Class is not discussed or debated in public because class identity has been stripped from popular culture. The institutions that shape mass culture and define the parameters of public debate have avoided class issues. In politics, in primary and secondary education, and in the mass media, formulating issues in terms of class is unacceptable, perhaps even un-American." Social construction is segregating us depending on our physical appearance and our material possessions. We are seen differently because of where we live, where we come from and how we look. Our whole lives have been caught up in this idea of stereotypes and standards that we are supposed to follow but