I was born into a family that would be described by Gilbert as upper-middle class. Upper-middle class consists of people who make anywhere from $45,000-$80,000 yearly. These are people who either have a college education, own their own medium sized business, or are managers. At this time the class model, presented by Coleman and Rainwater was distributed into these categories: upper upper, lower upper, upper middle, middle, working, semi poor,

My life chances began to slowly move up the ladder. My family’s income has played a large role in my future and life chances. When I was younger my mother and my step dad began to save money for my college education. If it wasn’t for them and their money, I don’t know where I would be. I am sure that I would have received some sort of college education, but due to the high expenses, I don’t know that it would be nearly as much as I am getting today. Good jobs are hard to come by these days and without at least a Bachelors degree I would have to accept a job making much less than I would like to. Without any college education I would most likely be in the lower end of the working class.

As a young child my parents associated with the party type. They were all a bunch of wild partiers who liked to go boating all the time. I am glad my mom got away from all of that because my life chances wouldn’t be what they are today. My mom and step dad don’t really have many friends. I know a couple of my moms friends, but she really doesn’t have a whole lot. The friends of hers that I do know are very nice people. They are all well brought up and would be considered middle class. None of my mom’s friends would be considered upper class. Her friends haven’t had much influence on me because I am not around them enough. I have not met many of my step dad’s friends at all. The only time he really spends with his friends is just watching football games on TV or going to sporting events. I haven’t been around his friends long enough for them to teach me anything.

My mother works at a hospital billing company. I don’t know exactly how much she makes, but I know it’s not much. I am guessing in the $30-50,000 range. She doesn’t have a college degree. When my mom and step dad first met, he was working as a railroad engineer making really good money. He later was injured so they paid him off. He now works for the House of Representatives for the State of Illinois making less than my mom. My step dad went to college and received his bachelor’s degree in teaching, but never pursued it. I guess he was assuming he would be with the railroad until he retired. My real father blew his whole life away on alcohol. He now owns his own business working 2-6pm Tuesday through Saturday. He never went to college and he doesn’t have much to show for his life. I sound very negative about him, but he had been an alcoholic for 30 years and just recently quit. I guess its better late then never. I definitely do not want to take the path of my real parents. Neither one of them have a college degree and neither one of them earn a great deal of money. I am on my last year of college and already have my Associates. Once I receive my Bachelors in August, I will either join the military or think about getting my Masters. A good education is important and I am

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