Class Themes In Pop Culture

Image result for modern family claire family

In pop culture there are different themes and levels of class in the media we watch.  The levels of class have various meanings, and some individuals may interpret these differently. The concepts of class state a clear differentiation of the multiple groups and the hierarchy. Class is separated by the number of variables that shape our experience with social hierarchy’s.There are various levels of class ranging from The American Dream to “True Love conquers, Ethnic Division Trumps Unity to class Invisibility. Each level of class represents a  standard or expectation set by society.

The American Dream: The American Dream can be defined as the perfect or ideal family. One that is comfortable in there socioeconomic status. Married usually with two or three kids. Living in a house in a nice neighborhood, with a stable job and career. In pop culture examples of the American Dream can range from Claire’s family in modern family, or Good Luck Charlie on Disney Channel. They represent the American Dream by living with two or more kids, in a nice house in a safe neighborhood in California. Claire is a stay at home mom in the early seasons, meanwhile Phil works as a real estate agent.

True Love Conquers Class: This class can be described as a poor kid who ends up with the rich girl or vice versa. In more basic terms there is a love story and out of the two characters one character is from upper class, meanwhile the other character can be defined as working class or poor. A fantastic example of this would be Aladdin, who falls in love with the princess but is forbidden from engaging in a relationship with her due to royal standards.

Ethnic Division Trumps Class Unity: This class states that despite racial standards, there is a love story that is stronger then the racial norm. An example of this would be in the Netflix Original Series Dynasty, The main character Fallen Carrington falls in love with her African American Butler Michel Cullinhan.  Fallen Carrington Comes from a rich mega oil industry family, where money is in her blood, her driver Michel falls in love with her and the two have an  off and on love relationship which is above the social culture norm where the rich marry rich.

Overall Pop Culture has transformed to being more Class Invisible, where race gender and socioeconomic standards no longer have such a great importance.

Do you think Think society has transformed to becoming more invisible or is there a vast need for improvement?