Question

Is social class or gender more significant in shaping the life of an individual born in the United States today? How does each factor matter? Provide reasons for your choice. Consider how social class and gender interact

Answer 1

Is social class or gender more significant in shaping the life of an individual born in the United States today?
Today, it's obviously the social class that is more significant in shaping one's life in the united states. Had this question asked a hundred years back, the answer would have been gender because of the rights men were enjoying compared to women.
Women have almost all the freedom and security in the society in today's American society. I would say women enjoy more freedom than men, so gender will not be a problem today but the social class will definitely provide more opportunities than the one in lower social order.
How does each factor matter?
Being a male is always an advantage in any society because of the familial, political and social freedom that they enjoy. Gender inequality in terms of wages, sexual harassment are problems caused by men and women are affected by it. The child bearing pain and the aftermath of that in job and physical changes definitely a disadvantage but it is also considered to be the greatest achievement in a women's life in some cultures.
Being born in a high social class is an advantage as it provides more opportunities and economic security. It provides them a comfortable life with all the needs and luxuries. It also lengthens their life expectancy by providing enough medical facilities. Education in biggest and famous institution will be possible for only those who are from the high social order. Starting a business or taking over the family business is possible for people who are already in the higher social class.
How social class and gender interact
There are two type of interactions one joins hands with the underprivileged and the other indifferent to the people from lower social class. All the reforms were initiated by high social class people for the low social class people but at the same time, there were rejections and insults unleashed by high social class people on low social class people, without taking gender into consideration.