How Privileged Are You?

I finished secondary school.

I finished college.

I went to private school and college.

My parents paid for my education.

I completed my master's (or can afford to complete it when I choose).

I have studied abroad.

I can read, write, and speak English fluently.

My parents speak to me in English.

I can read, write, and speak a second language.

I was allowed to study subjects of my choice.

Both my parents are college graduates.

As a child, I was encouraged to take up extracurricular activities.

My family allows me to work.

I’ve done unpaid internships.

I chose my own career path.

My job does not involve manual labour.

My job came with an employment contract.

My job has non-salary benefits.

I have changed career paths (or have the option to).

I pursued a career that doesn’t traditionally guarantee financial security.

My friends or family connections helped me access professional networks.

I didn’t start earning money before I was 18.

I am able to save money each month.

I am able to afford shopping recreationally, and eating and drinking out.

My parents help me with certain household expenses (rent, bills, or others).

My parents help me with all household expenses/I live with them.

My parents help me with government processes (license, pan card, taxes, or others).

I have a bank account in my own name.

My parents helped me set up that bank account.

My parents gave me pocket money growing up.

My family has never had to take loans from small moneylenders.

I didn’t receive hand-me-downs as a child.

I’ve bought things from abroad when they weren’t available locally.

I am not the sole earner in the family.

I have never been in debt.

I have never had to skip meals to save money.

I can afford to buy branded clothes.

I can afford not to take public transport.

My family has a car which I travel by.

My family has a driver.

I have travelled outside my city for leisure.

I’ve travelled out of the country for leisure.

I have never been a target of violence because of my caste.

I was oblivious to the caste system as a child.

I believe the caste system has no effect on one’s life and opportunities.

I have never been criticised or insulted for my skin colour.

I have never been called by a casteist slur.

I have never been rejected or restricted from a job because of my caste.

I have never been a target of violence or judgment for the food I eat.

I have never felt like hiding or changing my surname.

I have never felt my surname disadvantaged me for a job application.

I have never felt my surname disadvantaged me for a college application.

I have never been judged or targeted for my surname.

I have never bought a skin-lightening product.

I’ve never cleaned a commode.

I don’t personally grow or raise the food I eat.

I’ve bribed my way out of lawbreaking.

I have always had access to clean drinking water.

I have always had access to electricity.

My house has a cooling and/or heating system.

I have access to cable television.

I have had access to the internet since dial-up.

My school and university were in my own town.

I don't have to leave my house to access a toilet.

I don’t have to leave my house to access water.

I have never lived below the poverty line.

I have never been homeless.

I can afford essential services without government subsidies.

I didn’t understand the previous point.

There is a school and hospital in my town.

I have been vaccinated against major diseases.

I have access to a doctor when I fall ill.

My family has a doctor that we visit for any and all health issues.

I am a man.

I identify with the gender I was born as.

I have never been afraid in public spaces because of my gender.

I have never been sexually harassed or groped in public spaces.

I have never been sexually assaulted.

I have never been blamed for my own harassment or assault.

I feel comfortable going out alone at night.

I have never been shamed for the clothes I am wearing.

I am not under any pressure to get married.

My family cares about my career more than my marriage.

I don't do domestic tasks (cooking, cleaning, caretaking) at home.

I don’t know how to cook.

I expect my spouse to run my home and raise my children.

Women in my family are given the same access to education as the men.

Women in my family are allowed to travel without male chaperones.

Women in my family eat at the same time as the men.

I am straight.

I have never been called a homophobic slur.

I have never faced homophobic violence.

I have never hidden my sexuality from friends or family.

I have never thought about “coming out”.

My family accepted my choice of partner.

I had the freedom to choose my own religious practices.

My religion forms the majority where I live.

I have never faced violence or bullying because of my religion.

I have never had problems renting an apartment because of my religion.

I have never felt afraid in public because of my religion.

I have never been restricted from a friendship or relationship because of my religion.

I have been given access to every religious structure I went into.

Communities of my identity have not been persecuted en masse.

I have been free to date anybody I want.

I feel comfortable in my body.

I believe I am attractive.

I have never been told to change my body by family, friends, or partners.

My family and friends talk openly about mental health.

I can access therapy or medication for my mental health.

I see myself represented fairly in cinema, books, movies, TV, and online.

I trust law enforcement.

I do not have any physical disabilities.

I do not have any mental disabilities.

I do not have any learning disabilities.

My parents are not going to pay or ask for dowry when I marry.

I am free to eat with people from all religions and castes.

I have friends of multiple cultures, races, castes, regions, and genders.

I am free to eat whatever I want to.

I am free to live wherever I want to.

I am free to pray however, whenever, and wherever I want to.

I have not attempted to hide or change any identities I was born with.

I have not struggled to accept any identities I was born with.

I was not bullied as a child for any identities I hold.

I have not been estranged by any friends or family for any of my identities.

I feel proud of my identities.

I feel safe.

I feel free.

How Privileged Are You?

Check off all the statements that apply to you.

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