Why does social status determine power?

Question

I remember back in the older days, the biggest, meanest, kid with the biggest muscles were the big shots. Nowadays these kids that are 5 feet tall frail or short and pudgy as h**l, who wear in-style clothes control everything, ive seen so many little scrawling "cool" kids bully around the bigger kids because of their social status? Is this what it comes to now?

Answer 1

I've even noticed it with the adults. At my kids school we can choose teachers for our kids but we have to list six. The kids that get into the best classes are the ones whose parents are in a higher social class. Teachers kids, pto moms kids, friends of school staff. They say it is computer generated but it can't be just by chance every year. My kids deserve just as good of an education and to be treated fairly even though I didn't grow up in this town and am not on the pto board. It doesn't end with the school playground.

Answer 2

True social status is usually attained by influence.  The more important people you know, and can influence, makes you important.  Money is, of course, a great influence as are friends.

Answer 3

I think social status does determine power. Especially for children... In their eyes if you dress cool you are cool... and to have cool clothes you have to have some kind of money. I this this in children every day... appearance has a big deal to do with it.

Answer 4

Unfortunately in todays society ~ the saying is: 'Money talks & bullcarp walks' So yes, money/social status IS power.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, our world has become quite corrupt due to moral values having been undermined a lot during the last century - prayer taken out of schools, more s*x and violence shown on television and on the media.  We've been spoiled like rotten apples.

We need to find our roots again.

Go back to God's word, the Bible.

Work for the Lord and not for ourselves.

Give those bullies something to live for by spreading the gospel of Christ.

This is what the world needs now.

Answer 6

Because money is powerful, plain and simple. We need it to survive, and to survive well.

Answer 7

Wow, is that really true? If so poor people have really let the wealthy people fuch with our heads.

I'd say I've seen what you are talking about many times though. Every week you can see this play out on national TV, just watch wifeswap. In the follow up meeting it is always the more wealthy person/family who "teaches" the poorer family. It is just disgusting

** Angel-answer to post below me. Influence over people is gained by status. People want to be around people who are higher status, so that they can be better protected socially. Status first then influence. Think about the origin of why a person would allow someone's influence. It is because the person seems to be (powerful,authority, status) to begin with.

Answer 8

Maybe what you're saying is valid for kids.  However, in adults, power (or respect) comes from attitude.  My husband has never been one to care about social status, doesn't dress expensively, but no matter where he has worked, people have wanted to make him into a boss or foreman or supervisor.  Even strangers, such as delivery people, will come to the job site and no matter how many people are working there, they choose to talk to my husband, believing that he's the boss.  He projects a "don't mess with me" attitude.