Breaking through social barriers

Original Image: P.A.P Blog*

The American dream some may call it, for others its equality of opportunity, regardless I believe that this is simply a myth. Breaking through the social barriers is harder than many may expect, there are still glass ceilings to a person's progression based on their social status. Whether it be other factors than social class, there is still an underlying problem of rigid social and economic mobility.

For many societies, this will only become worse. As austerity continues, the hardest hit are those that are stuck at the lower end of the class based system. Although, this is not the only group that is hard hit but the lower middle-classes are being also being hit hard by the austerity measures. This seems to beg the question yet again, to what extent are we 'all in this together?' This rhetoric message that we have had spoon-fed to us, forcefully, is attempting to cover up the vast inequalities that are simply out of reach to many people. Of course this is nothing new, but a continuation of exploitation of one group by another as a result of 'bought politics.'
If I had to say anything it would simply be that money matters, not in itself as it doesn't buy happiness but it does seem to buy representation. So how can we truly be a democratic society where anyone can share a sense of this American dream when those who are buying representation want to restrict this. Politics should not be bought off by the few that can afford it, it should not be a luxury of the rich that can use it to protect their wealth. As long as politics is influenced by the 'big buyers' then we are no closer to true social mobility and people will be restricted in what they can do.

Though some may triumph whereby those in the worst-off conditions are able to fully make use of their abilities, there are the majority which are socially, economically and psychologically restricted from doing so. If austerity is continually weighted to those who are worse off, then these cases of breaking through social barriers will discontinue to exist and will simply become a dream and nothing more.

*Note on the featured cartoon: I love using powerful images alongside my blog. I would just like to put a short note on how powerful and effective this image is in expressing my point on social mobility.