Social Stratification
When speaking to Mikel about social stratification there is a significant difference among Yugoslavia and the United States. People are classified into economic groups by the level of wealth. The top levels of society are politicians, business owners, and Chief Executive Office of any corporation. Then it would follow down to middle and lower class. For instance, small business owner, professors would be considered middle class. Blue collar workers and farmers are the lowest.
Mikel's family would fall under the working class category back home due to the lack of education. After moving to the United States Mikel's family is now considered as wealthy in the high class of society due to their education that led them to owning their own business here in the United States. In Yugoslavia Mikel and his family did not have [any] easy access to any major hospitals because they lived in such a small village that they had to travel far. Luxury goods are located in the larger cities such as Skope or Belgrade.
As for work, there are plenty of jobs through farming and construction, but nowadays with advance technology the city is growing as some of the factories are moving in. Recreation was limited with only climbing mountains nearby, swimming in the river, and playing soccer. The tourist attraction was by the beach near the Mediterranean Sea. As for Mikel he never got the chance to enjoy the scene.
In comparing Yugoslavia to United States, the US is ahead of Yugoslavia by having more opportunities in work, medical care, luxury goods, elective office, and recreation. As for medical care in America people are surrounded by so many hospitals and clinics that are easy accessible. Luxury goods here are decided among each individual to obtain the necessity to live a comfortable life. For the Yugoslavians our necessity is their luxury. There is a wide variety of jobs here in America with lots of chances to work your way up the ladder instead of being in Yugoslavia where work is limited and is passed down from one generation to generation doing the same type of work. Soccer is a popular sport in Europe as for Mikel he was born with a soccer ball by his side.
The individuals in Yugoslavian society value hard work to earn a living. Within the two countries, United States offers every individual an equal opportunity to be all you can be. On the other hand, Yugoslavian's opportunity is limited and cannot be compared to the United States. In Yugoslavia each individual's life seems to be planned for them. Life for them was not a choice because whatever the father was that is what the son would be. Mikel is grateful to live in America where it is the land of the freedom and everything is accessible!