I can do this. I can fit here. I can contribute: A substantive theory of moving from working class to new class by academic women

Using the grounded theory method, a substantive theory of class mobility of women from the working class to the new class was developed. Assumptions of New Class Theory were use to understand contemporary social class mobility. Symbolic Interactionism provided the theoretical framework for understanding (a) how women experience their social class location and mobility, and (b) the place of grounded theory methodology in the use of theory developing research. Data were obtained through in depth semi-structured taped interviews with eighteen White women over the course of six months. In addition, demographic information was collected. Analysis of the data by the constant comparative method revealed becoming extraordinarily ordinary women as the basic social psychological process underlying these women's experiences. Working class women moving to the New Class through the mechanism of education experienced class mobility through the four-stage process of becoming extraordinarily ordinary women. The stages that emerged from the data included (a) dealing with parents' expectations, (b) overcoming vulnerabilities, (c) making personal/attitudinal adjustments, and (d) cultivating a role in the New Class.