Wednesday, October 6, 2010

I grew up 'priviledged'?!

I've recently been reading a few blogs in my free-time (between homework assignments) about Fostering children and Foster families - It's a topic that interests me greatly.

One of the bloggers posted a 'Meme' (A list of things about yourself) about being privileged - what it means, how it's perceived, and one possible way to measure it. I thought it would be interesting to see how I 'measured up' on this list: I didn't ever think of myself as a privileged child, and certainly don't feel that my children are - but this gives a different perspective than what I thought originally... I found it very interesting.

From What Privileges Do You Have?, based on an exercise about class and privilege developed by Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka at Illinois State University. They ask that you PLEASE acknowledge their copyright.

You're supposed to bold the true statements, after realizing that my 'bold-ing' isn't working properly, I decided to make them different colors... (comments are italicized)

1. Father went to college.

2. Father finished college.

3. Mother went to college.

4. Mother finished college.

5. Have any relative who is was an attorney, physician, or professor.

6. Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers. (I think so, especially BECAUSE my Mom was a High School Teacher)

7. Had more than 50 books in your childhood home.

8. Had more than 500 books in your childhood home.

9. Were read children's books by a parent.

10. Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18.

11. Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18. (piano, dance, violin, swimming)

12. The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively.

13. Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18.

14. Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs.

15. Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs. (except for a small scholarship)

16. Went to a private high school.

17. Went to summer camp. (Girl Scout, YMCA)

18. Had a private tutor before you turned 18. (French, Algebra)

19. Family vacations involved staying at hotels. (not always, but sometimes - yes!)

20. Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18.

21. Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them. (It was an OLD car that needed work, but it was bought for ME)

22. There was original art in your house when you were a child (kid's work is original - and lots of NC pottery!)

23. You and your family lived in a single-family house.

24. Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home.

25. You had your own room as a child.

26. You had a phone in your room before you turned 18.

27. Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course.

28. You had a TV in your room as a child.

29. Owned a mutual fund or IRA in high school or college.

30. Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16. (I think I was 16 when my sister and I went to Germany for 3 weeks)

31. Went on a cruise with your family.

32. Went on more than one cruise with your family.

33. Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up.

34. You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family.

26 out 0f 34.

Definitely privileged, I’d have to say, although I know my parents worked hard to give my sister and me the things they did... I had a pretty great childhood... now if I think about these questions in terms of what an average child in the Foster care system has... well - that's another story!

2 comments:

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Hmmmm... 22 definite No's, and a few more that were borderline.
Interesting.

Tipper said...

I think most of us don't realize how privileged we are-I know I'm guilty of not realizing what I've been given.