Peer discussion

I need to reply back to one of my peers. In a response to another student (200 words), share the following: A. What you learned from the student’s discussion.B. How that was similar or different from your own observations/experiences. This is my discussion post. Stratification refers to the way society classifies individuals based on wealth, income, education, and family status. It functions like a ladder, where richer people often enjoy better jobs, stable housing, and greater opportunities, while those at lower levels have fewer resources and face more challenges in their daily lives. This built-in inequality shapes our everyday experiences profoundly. Children from rich families typically receive a good education, proper medical care, and travelling opportunities. In contrast, children from low income families may be forced to leave school early to work or grow up in unstable environments with limited options. Over time, these disparities in the long run influence health, happiness, and life expectancy. In my experience, social class has a strong influence on choices and preferences. I was raised in a working-class family, with my parents working long hours to raise my siblings and I. I noticed that wealthy friends attended expensive colleges without anxiety, while children in my neighborhood dropped out of school to work and help take care of their siblings. Even small differences, such as how individuals speak during meetings, are noticeable. My lower-income friends tend to remain silent in the workplace to protect their jobs. In contrast, wealthier individuals express themselves more freely because they feel secure knowing they have financial support to fall back on. In this module, I learned how social class shapes peoples life chances. This module explained how opportunities are often influenced by family background, income, and access to resources. I have witnessed this in my hometown, where many families remain in poverty across generations, facing limited opportunities for upward mobility. As a dental assistant, I see social stratification in many ways through my patients. Patients with higher income often have dental insurance and can afford dental cleanings and treatment when needed. They usually come in for their 6 month routine check ups and are able to get diagnosed with problems early. In contrast, patients from lower income backgrounds may delay their dental care because they cannot afford treatment or don’t have any dental coverage. Many only seek dental care when they are in severe pain. These differences show how income and social status influences access to healthcare, overall oral health and quality of life. This is my peer discussion post that I need to reply to. I would define stratification as the way people are divided into groups based on how much power, money, and opportunity they have. Some groups have more advantages and access to resources, while others have less, which affects how people live their lives and the chances they have. Structured social inequality affects peoples lives by changing what they have access to and what they struggle with. People who have more money and power usually have better schools, healthcare, and job options. People with less often face more stress, fewer chances, and more obstacles. These differences can affect how people feel about themselves, their health, and the kind of life they are able to live. As a student teacher working in a low-income area, I have seen how social class directly affects students choices and behaviors. Many students come from families with limited financial resources, which can impact attendance, homework completion, and access to supplies or technology. Some students have parents who did not complete high school and may place less emphasis on education. Others take on additional responsibilities at home or experience stress that affects their ability to focus in school. I have also observed that students often have fewer opportunities for activities outside of school, which can influence their belonging at school. My experience as a student teacher matches a lot of what we learned in this module. The readings explain that education is supposed to give everyone a fair chance, but in reality, it often keeps inequalities in place. I see this in my classroom, where many students face challenges outside of school that affect their learning, like lack of resources, stress at home, or limited support. The idea of the hidden curriculum makes sense to me because students often learn what is expected of them based on how they are placed or treated in school. Overall, my experiences support what the module says about how social class and inequality shape students school experiences.