The U.S. Upper Class

The amount of information concerning the poor is endless as they provide us with the most accessible research on social inequality. However, rarely do we ever see documentaries dealing with the wealthy and rarely are we ever given a glimpse into their lives. In this article by Stephen Higley, we look into the lives of some of the wealthiest families in America and the methods by which they isolate themselves from common society.

Within the U.S. upper class is an educational system by which the wealthy aim to pass on traditional values to their children. It is very common for children in these families to attend private educational institutions that would otherwise be inaccessible to children of lower social status. Many of these private institutions cost thousands of dollars a year, assuring that only those of high social and economic status can attend. My sister went to a private Lutheran elementary school for about two years, because it was the only school that provided extended daycare for preschool children. During this time, my parents had to work a few extra hours just to pay her yearly tuition. At the time, my sister was one of the only non-white, non-Lutheran students in the entire school. There were times where we would attend school events only to be met with dirty looks, it felt as though we were never welcomed there. It felt as though we had invaded their space and they resented us for it. The wealthy aim to draw barriers between their children and the common society. Entering this world was my first look at what it might be like to have money.