When I first applied to Carleton, I was labeled under a socioeconomic status of just below the poverty line in the United States. For most of my life I was very ashamed of my family background and never let my friends come over to my house. I wore clothes even after they formed gaping holes, and my sister and I didn't receive Christmas presents until my mom heard about the Salvation Army. Coming to Carleton, however, I began to question how bad my situation really was. There are students here who have been homeless, who've gone through days without meals, and who can’t afford to go home during breaks. In that sense I’ve been very fortunate to always have food in my house and a mother who spent the little bit of money we had on lessons and activities for me and my sister.
Recently I’ve reached a crossroad in my life where I’ve become uncertain about how to define my socioeconomic background. Having only recently accepted the circumstances in which I was raised, I have trouble accepting the notion that my family is slowing rising in the social ladder. Previously unemployed for most of my childhood, my dad has begun to see fruition in his recently started home business and money is no longer an issue for us. Yet I continue to believe that my family is poor and feel terrible about spending money that could be saved for the future. Has Carleton made me view wealth as something to be ashamed of? Am I worried about compromising my relatability to others now that I don’t have to worry about not having a job over the summer? Certainly I don’t hope that my family remains poor; after all, we immigrated here to fulfill our American dream. I imagine it’s probably just trying to adjust to a new lifestyle and I won’t even have this problem this time next year.
- Anonymous
Recently I’ve reached a crossroad in my life where I’ve become uncertain about how to define my socioeconomic background. Having only recently accepted the circumstances in which I was raised, I have trouble accepting the notion that my family is slowing rising in the social ladder. Previously unemployed for most of my childhood, my dad has begun to see fruition in his recently started home business and money is no longer an issue for us. Yet I continue to believe that my family is poor and feel terrible about spending money that could be saved for the future. Has Carleton made me view wealth as something to be ashamed of? Am I worried about compromising my relatability to others now that I don’t have to worry about not having a job over the summer? Certainly I don’t hope that my family remains poor; after all, we immigrated here to fulfill our American dream. I imagine it’s probably just trying to adjust to a new lifestyle and I won’t even have this problem this time next year.
- Anonymous