How priviledged are you?

Meme picked up from the Singing Librarian and Aphra Behn, a.o. As several have noticed, some country-specific differences do show up along the way

1. 
   
   Father went to college


2. 
   
   Father finished college
   In fact, he was the first with a degree in that branch of the family, making me only a second generation academic. Gee.


3. 
   
   Mother went to college
   Did she actually start? Can’t remember. Anyway, she set up her own small business and ran it until 1–2 years ago. She’s 80 this summer…


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
   Not that it was anything I even remotely thought of – but same, probably yes.


7. 
   
   Had more than 50 books in your childhood home.


8. 
   
   Had more than 500 books in your childhood home
   I think – must be thereabout. I know that we have more at home now. Books are good :)


9. 
   
   Were read children’s books by a parent
   Actually learned to read before starting school by sitting on my father’s knee and following the small black thingies on the paper while he read to me. Books – and also Donald Duck every Tuesday :)


10. 
    
    Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18
    Piano – which I have since given up in favour of CD player and, now, iPod which I’m far more adept at.


11. 
    
    Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18


12. 
    
    The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively
    ???


13. 
    
    Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18
    Can’t have a credit card in Denmark until you’re 18, so no.


14. 
    
    Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs


15. 
    
    Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs
    Well, yes and no. First of all, you don’t pay to go to university (college) in Denmark. So the “entrance fee” was paid for by Father State. I lived at my parents’ until I graduated – so my living costs were covered by them. Books etc I financed myself from the money I earned doing student jobs.
    The end result was that I got out of university debt-free which was an extremely good head start – one of the major things I thanked my parents for in my wedding speech and one that we do plan to do whatever we can to repeat for our kids.


16. 
    
    Went to a private high school


17. 
    
    Went to summer camp
    Yes, the scouting variant. Still do:)


18. 
    
    Had a private tutor before you turned 18


19. 
    
    Family vacations involved staying at hotels
    We didn’t really go for very many organised summer 1–2–3 week vacations. But when we did, we did stay at small hotels or inns in Denmark or hotels when abroad.


20. 
    
    Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18
    Only child…


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
    Mainly some reproductions – but at least one original (haven’t got a clue who the painter was) over the sofa in the living room.


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


26. 
    
    You had a phone in your room before you turned 18
    Wonder what today’s kids will answer? Yes, I have my mobile phone in the room…?


27. 
    
    Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course


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
    My Dad went to conferences now and then and occasionally, my mother and I went along. I remember being in Vienna, Warsaw (behind the curtain! big experience) and Reykjavik at least.


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

So, in conclusion, I’m solidly in the surburban upper-middle class category. Well taken care of – but also early on earning and learning the value of my own money.

 

Devised by PhD students at Indiana State University - Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, and Stacy Ploskonka. If you participate, they ask that you please acknowledge their copyright.