The Social Ladder

           We started class off with a sort of gambling activity. Each person was given three pennies and we had to flip a coin and bet which side it would land on. Whoever won, would win all of the others persons pennies and would then move on to face another person. As the game progressed, we began to see the disadvantages and unequal opportunities that were present. As the game rounds continued, not everybody had the same amount of pennies anymore. You had to verse a component with either more or less pennies then you, and we quickly learned what a advantage or disadvantage that could bring. This form of gambling should "technically" be fair, since flipping a coin is a 50/50 chance of winning, but in reality, the more coins you had to start off with as the rounds progressed, even with that 50/50 chance when flipping the coin, the much higher chance you had at winning. This example can directly be related to social classes in life. We all think we have equal opportunities and chances in this country, but in reality, where you come from and how you start out has a larger impact than we think. For example, money can be linked to living in a better area, going to better schools, getting more tutors and help, and this education is directly linked to success. Typically, the higher on the social ladder an individual is, the more education they have received. Personally, I never really thought through how much of an advantage I really do have already in life. Even just thinking about a job over the summer. My dad helped design a cafe in Glenview and goes there often to eat. I was able to instantly get a summer job there and in essence pick the hours I wanted just because I was related to him. Just thinking about all those people who are constantly looking for a job and how easily I was able to get it just because of my background alone. It really makes you stop and think.