Theories on Education; Social Classes

*original air of this blog was sept. 25th

So I’m on the way back home today. It’s been a long day already when I think about it. I had class starting at 8 and it was over by 12. Went to eat, and then rolled out. I’m hungry as hell right now. My bus didn’t leave until 3:30 but I got to the stop like an hour and a half early just to be sure. It was my first time riding the train by myself. I will admit I had a little freak-out: I thought I was on an express train that had passed 34th and Penn Station. But I wasn’t even out of Queens yet. Lol. Anyway, I get to Penn Station and have no idea where to go from there, but I figure it’s not actually inside the station. So being the genius I am, I look on my ticket and see the address where the bus stops. Yeah I know, kinda slow. But whatever. So I’m waiting and about four other buses load and pull off in the time I’m waiting. I didn’t even realize that Megabus went to more places than just D.C. I mean I knew it, I just wasn’t thinking about it. It might just be that I didn’t realize they went to other places from NY. Anywayysss finally ready to board the bus and lucky me I get a good seat. On top in the second row, with a really nice view. It’s pretty cool so far. There’s a really nice old lady sitting next to me and everything. Don’t underestimate them old ladies. Anyway. The subject of this blog isn’t even my bus experience; I just wanted to fill you guys in about it. Did I mention there’s Wi-Fi? Yeah there is. Took a little configuring to work it though.

So the subject here is my criminal justice class today. We’re talking about police, and how policing has changed over time. Like it used to have real political undertones. Basically the politicians picked police who would enforce their laws and scare people into voting for them. Then there was this era of policing where the police were just all about business. They weren’t courteous to citizens and they just wanted the facts basically. So he’s like if police are like that; really unfriendly, no one’s gonna want to report crimes. So during that time, someone had the idea to make sure police officers were educated. See before police were just average white-collar citizens. No formal education, just a high school diploma or equivalent. So someone’s like they want the police force to be middle class instead of working class, and you do that by educating them.

Dude had my attention here.

So he’s like the difference between middle class and working class isn’t money at all, its education. He’s like middle class have different attitudes too; like they’re less violent and less confrontational, plus they place more of a value on education. So of course this peaks my interest. And I’m wondering about that middle class, and about the rich class. It makes sense when you think about it. Middle class families often have one or more parent with a college degree or some education after high school.

Okay I get it to that extent, but what about rich homes? How are they rich if the adult has the same level of education as a middle class adult? Just because you’re rich doesn’t necessarily mean you have more education. Does it? If this is based on education, those rich guys who only have B.A.’s wouldn’t make it as far as they’re getting.

Idk, and what about the middle class? Middle class is defined as those who aren’t financially stable, but they aren’t below the national poverty line. These families have the same attitude of middle class families, just not the education. So if this class thing is based on attitude, missing class families who perform like middle class families will eventually get out of the missing class right?

So yeah, this is what has been on my mind as I waited on the bus, and while I was at lunch. And that’s really how I know I should be studying sociology or something. My criminal justice teacher says something about sociology and immediately I’m intrigued, and my mind gets a-workin’.