Average-class to High Class Money Changes a Persons View
Money is a well known service across the globe everyone is familiar with. Whether black, white, asian, rich, or poor-- money describes how people live, the clothes they wear, and it determines a persons financial status according to the Phoebe and Gabby. For thousands of years it has classified a person, in the 1800’s it was a hierarchy, a person with money was considered wealthy, and a person with none at all was a peasant. To this day money still classifies a person and puts that person in a certain category. In a documentary film, money wasn’t a necessity for the characters who were like myself and my family who struggle with money. In the short film, “Kids + Money” by Laura Greenfield, Greenfield interviews a handful of teenagers from Los Angeles, California about their views on money. Their were two teenage characters who caught my eye, one being Phoebe. Phoebe, of Los Angeles 16 years of age had no sense of the real value of money. As Greenfield interview Phoebe she giggled about throwing money at her friends while attending an after party event. She elaborates nonchalantly on all the money she spent to attend prom. Prom is a special event, but throwing $20 and $50 at friends is a bit overboard. Phoebe also discusses in the interview how she has 2 nannies who clean her room, a gardener, and a “limited” credit card that she goes over monthly. Now, at the age of 16, Phoebe is quite capable of cleaning her own room. As for a credit card at the age of 16, the fact she goes over the limit every month even though she only spends it on clothes, and accessories lets the audience know a credit card shouldn’t be given at that age. Another character Gabby, 16 years old as well, goes into details about how shopping is her hobby. Usually, at that age, girls love to shop, but there’s a difference between loving to do something and it being an obsession. Gabby explains to Greenfield and the audience how its necessary to spend 4 digits on a bag that is classic. Four digits? That’s enough to buy a car to some people. On the other hand, there’s me, an 18 year old girl, who has basically been independent since 16. I come from an average working-class family. Growing up in the ghetto of Plainfield, New Jersey, taught me a lot. I was born to a father who dropped out of school in 6th grade, and a mom who studied 2 years in a community college and who later on became a substitute. I
