Class can be defined as a
social group with similar opportunities. While class roles paly a large role in
society today, the media has largely influenced our perception of the upper,
middle, and lower classes. In Diana Kendall’s essay, Framing Class, Vicarious Living, and Conspicuous Consumption,
Kendall explores the theme of class and how it has been affected by media
representation.
In Kendall’s essay, Kendal uses the
example of the once popular television show The
Simple Life. The show followed Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie as they struggled
to do minimum wage jobs and faced the struggles of the every man. This Simple Life is a perfect example of
how the media trivializes class relationships and gives a false perception of the
class system. Hilton and Richie are presented as superior to the “substandard
and low level” middle and lower class people that occupy the jobs that they are
attempting in each episode. The media plays huge role in how we view individuals
and their social standing. It can, however, unfortunately be incredibly
misleading. Media has the power to destroy the social divisions that exist and
cultivate a culture of understanding. The media ought to strive to reflect
social classes in a positive light and accurately portray the struggles of the
upper, lower, and middle classes. This would give society a true impression of
class and enable us to better understand those in classes’ different classes.
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