I have class anxiety

Navigating the Middle Class: Learning New Rules

Wen Wen Yang, who grew up poor and recently entered the middle class, shares her experiences and challenges of trying to fit into a new social class. She reflects on the differences in social cues and norms between the two classes, such as the way food is ordered in restaurants. Wen Wen also highlights the fear of being judged and the pressure to blend in with her middle-class coworkers. She acknowledges that her background affects how she perceives herself and worries about being viewed as incompetent. Researchers confirm that people do judge others based on class markers, reinforcing the importance of addressing inequality and challenging societal biases.

The Impact of Social Class on Careers

Michael Krauss, a social psychologist at Yale, discusses how our society's emphasis on cultural fit can perpetuate class-based inequalities. Employers often prioritize credentials and experiences associated with upper-class backgrounds, which can exclude individuals from lower-class backgrounds. Michael's research reveals that people make judgments and assumptions about social status, competence, and worthiness based on subtle markers like language usage and personal interests. This bias can have significant implications for job opportunities and evaluations. Recognizing these biases and holding institutions accountable is essential in addressing inequality.

Shared Experiences: Feeling Out of Place

Listeners, Lena, Tom, and Caitlin, share their personal experiences of feeling out of place, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Lena, who grew up with conscientious spending habits, often feels different from her middle-class coworkers due to her frugal lifestyle. Tom, an ER doctor, navigates the dichotomy between his status as a physician at work and his desire to be treated as an equal outside of work. Caitlin recalls her middle school struggle to fit in, attempting to recreate expensive jeans she couldn't afford. These stories highlight the universal nature of feeling out of place and the challenges associated with societal expectations and class differences.

This Is Uncomfortable

I have class anxiety

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Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Navigating the Middle Class: Learning New Rules

The Impact of Social Class on Careers

Shared Experiences: Feeling Out of Place

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