Introduction
The personalities and mindsets of people are shaped based on different prerequisites. Some of those are related to the environment they grew up in, their friendships, familial relationships, educational performance. Among these factors, socio-economic status holds a special place – it defines how others see the person, how they form their attitudes, what social installations surround them. In the framework of this essay, it will be argued that socioeconomic status significantly influences one’s life and might lead to future problems.
Main body
There are different facets to examine regarding the socio-economic status implications on one’s life and future. First of all, the difference in status at a young age leads to inequality. Children of all ages interact in social groups, and whether it is kindergarten or school, they have to socialize within those groups. The obligation to cope with the environment they are put in, combined with the inevitable inequality and bullying, creates conditions for children to adapt in an unhealthy way. Frequently enduring public humiliation, such kids either become depressed and suicidal or accumulate anger and take bullying they had to tolerate to another level later on. Both of these scenarios signal the severity of the situation and demonstrate the importance of new approaches in social skills education for children. Due to digitalization, new generations appear to be even more exposed to baiting and bullying, yet they have fewer abilities to respond to it.
Another outcome of different socio-economic backgrounds is the emergence of unhealthy life habits. It is proven that people coming from wealthy or middle-income backgrounds are more likely to be non-smokers, not to be obese, or exercise (Deckers et al., 2015). On the contrary, those coming from lower-income households are much more likely to engage in addictive behavior, including smoking, gambling, or drinking (Deckers et al., 2015). This tendency is concerning as it shows the significance of the problems that children might face in the future. Undoubtedly, they will most probably have difficulties getting medical insurance and assistance, leading to more health problems and lowering life expectancy. Generally, such lifestyles are combined with mental illnesses and a vulnerable psyche; thus, getting in high-risk groups based on mental condition adds up to the list.
The last point that will be covered is related to the ones mentioned above. It concerns career and life prospects for children depending on their socio-economic status. According to the existing data, people tend to be more satisfied with their lives overall and feel personal fulfillment when they come from middle-income families (Deckers et al., 2015). It is also easier for them to find a job and be productive, as they have more working opportunities and resources available (Deckers et al., 2015). In addition, they are more likely to be emotionally intelligent and move up the career ladder at a faster rate (Deckers et al., 2015). For those coming from low-income households, it is harder to get an education, consequently, find a high-paying job, sometimes any job at all – with the competition getting more robust in the labor market. It means that these people are rather disposed to become unemployed and, possibly, go down the road of crime.
Conclusion
All in all, it is rather apparent that socio-economic status has an immense impact on one’s future. Starting with the childhood negative experiences, more issues emerge as time goes. The probability of having problems with mental health and overall well-being is higher for people from low-income families. Besides, such people are also less likely to find adequate employment and more exposed to criminal activities.
Reference
Deckers, T., Falk, A., Kosse, F., & Schildberg-Horisch, H. (2015). How does socio-economic status shape a child’s personality? IZA Discussion Paper Series, 8977.