Sincerely Sydney: Not everybody is financially stable in Frisco
In her weekly column, staff reporter Sydney Gish provides her take on high school life.
Exorbitant houses, 5A schools, and constant construction of new buildings are all around Frisco and gives the impression that everyone who lives here has a family that is privileged and financially stable, which is false.
Money situations as a child or teen are things that can’t be controlled and no one should feel ashamed of that. However, many kids who grow up in a community like this do feel bad about themselves because of it.
Of course we’re grateful for the opportunity of getting an education from a good school and getting a chance to succeed in life which many people in other areas don’t receive. The part that’s less than good is being surrounded by those of the upper class everyday. There are people who have had to skip meals from lack of food, gotten clothes from a church for free, worked as many hours as possible and other things that most people don’t have to.
Last year in my psychology class we did an experiment where everyone lined up and if you heard something that pertains to you, you take a step forward and if not, it’s a step back. They were questions like that related to one’s privilege status, for example step forward of if you have someone to clean your house, if you go on frequent family vacations, if you come from a two parent household. Living up to the stereotype those in the front were white males and those in the back looked like anyone else, however behind closed doors they don’t have the same prerogatives.
No one should be allowed to make judgements based on someone’s outer appearance. Many people don’t even realize that there are people who have not had the same opportunities just because of their residence in a town like Frisco where the poverty rate is only 3.57 percent.
Financial issues aren’t a huge problem for everybody in Frisco, and it’s hard for other people to understand why your water is shut off or why you’re worrying about money in high school. Even though money problems aren’t fun, such issues can helps kids understand the value of a dollar and make sure not to take anything for granted.
Sincerely,
Sydney
Sydney Gish is a junior and in her 2nd year of Wingspan. She is a member of FCCLA, Key Club, NAHS, the Raven and Best Buddies. In her free time she is...
Arthur • Feb 15, 2018 at 12:15 pm
I live in an area of Frisco that I would describe as working class. A lot of pickup trucks, people that leave for work at 5:30 AM, also a mix of line level and mid level workers.
Some of these people are living way too hand to mouth in my opinion. On the social app ‘Nextdoor’ one of the neighbors in my subdivision has on several occasions asked for help with clothing for her son, and food for her family.
It’s shocking because I would rather sell off everything I have or find a job, any job rather than go to my neighbors for help. Alternatively, I would sell my home, take the equity and find a less expensive place to live out in the country or in Oklahoma. Anything but become a beggar.