We’ve all seen movies like “The Notebook” or “My Fair Lady” where one side of the relationship is poorer, less refined, more crude, or less educated than their more well to-do counterpart. However, how much does this factor in when it comes to real life relationships.

Personally, my dad has a bachelor’s degree and my mom has her doctorate. He was a teacher prior to retirement and she was a principal and on the school board. I would classify my family as upper middle class. I have “dated up”- the son of a doctor and a nurse who went to a private out-of-state university and was entering grad school with a 4.0. I have also “dated down”- the son of two individuals who had never attended college and who went to a nearby community college and was on the 6 or 7 year track.

These are my most extreme examples of “dating up” and “dating down”, but I have experienced it other times as well. In my opinion, it is a big factor. I would definitely prefer to date boys from a “class” more similar to my own. It isn’t that my family or society necessarily frowns upon it- it is more that it affects the way you look at the world and your future. Personally, because of my background, I value education, manners, and taste (in appearance, speech, and thought). I have very specific ideals on what I want for my future and sometimes when I express them to someone who is from a lower “class” it doesn’t seem to click.

I know America prides itself on being this big melting pot where people can get outside of “caste systems” and such, but it still feels like class has a big impact on dating. What do you think?

Have you ever dated up or down? Did it affect the relationship? Negatively or perhaps, positively? What is your personal policy on keeping a class system in mind for dating?

P.s.- I hope this whole entry doesn’t make me sound snotty. I promise I am not.