I saw this on Charlotte’s Web nearly a week ago. The original authors of this exercise are Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, and Stacy Ploskonka at Illinois State University. If you participate, they ask that you PLEASE acknowledge their copyright.
Bold the true statements. You can explain further if you wish.
1. Father went to college
2. Father finished college
3. Mother went to college
4. Mother finished college
5. Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor.
6. Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers.
As far as social class goes I don’t really pay much attention to the distinctions. We all had to work for a living so we must all be working class.
7. Had more than 50 books in your childhood home.
8. Had more than 500 books in your childhood home
9. Were read children’s books by a parent
The Old Dear used to read to us every now and then when she wasn’t working.
10. Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18
11. Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18
Judo, golf, swimming, athletics, all the physical stuff. The Old Man wanted a sports star for a son.
12. The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively.
I wear casual shirts and jeans at home or a suit at work. Everyone dresses like me on the telly. I get positive and negative portrayals here.
13. Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18
I wish I didn’t now.
14. Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs
I finished paying my student load a few years ago.
15. Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs
16. Went to a private high school
17. Went to summer camp
18. Had a private tutor before you turned 18
19. Family vacations involved staying at hotels
We rented a cottage in Cornwall a couple of times.
20. Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18
21. Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them
22. There was original art in your house when you were a child
23. You and your family lived in a single-family house
24. Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home
25. You had your own room as a child
Thankfully.
26. You had a phone in your room before you turned 18
27. Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course
Not relevant for a non-American but we didn’t have any sort of exam prep courses when I was a wee lad.
28. Had your own TV in your room in high school
29. Owned a mutual fund or IRA in high school or college
30. Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16
I went skiing with my school once and we flew out to Geneva airport
31. Went on a cruise with your family
32. Went on more than one cruise with your family
33. Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up
34. You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family
Although I only got 7 I still think I was very lucky growing up. Much luckier than most people on the planet and even in this country.
/
The Magnificent Frog 
I must have my thick head on today, there are a number of questions there I don’t understand (and I’m not just being belligerent about cultural issues, or at least I don’t believe I am).
The only one I the list I can say yes to is #23. My father bought a single family home when I was seven.
I guess I should elaborate some. My father work six, seven days a week and was rarely home. My mother was sick and I pretty much raised my self. Neither parent went beyond high school. At least some of my clothes came from older cousines. I shared a bedroom with my sister until she turned around thirteen. I don’t remember my father or mother ever traveling anywhere out side our home town. I did not have my own phone or car until I moved out of my house at 18.
Brennig – I am curious which questions you don’t understand, and what is it you don’t understand, the question, or how it relates to privilege?
I saw this excercise on mylozmom’s blog too, I think I may have to nick it for tomorrow’s post! 😀
I don’t think something like this can truely measure the quality of ones upbringing as I believe that’s a personal perception. I did like this excercise and as PP said, I did it on my site too! Thanks for sharing!