Social Issues

Social Class

JournalHow might your social class affect the way in which you see the world?

Learning ObjectivesIdentify the three ways in which class is defined.

Identify the six different classes in the United States.

Explain how income inequality affects the United States.

Analyze the ways in which social class affects individuals.

Class

Definition:

Relative location of a person’s place in society based on wealth, power, and prestige.

Added Info:

Boundaries between classes are not clearly defined.

In the U.S., there is a possibility of moving from one class to another.

Examples:

UpperMiddleLowerWorking

Class in the U.S.• The U.S. relies on the capitalist system of

economics.– As a result, a class system arises– In capitalism, there is a necessity to have

someone who owns the company, managers to look after the employees, and the workers who keep the factory productive.

• Over the history of the U.S., there has been a great deal of class conflict in which the workers no longer want to be exploited.

Class Defined• Class is based on the following

characteristics:1.Wealth: the value of all of a person’s assets

(income and property)2.Prestige: the respect with which a person or

status position is regarded by others.3.Power: ability of people to achieve their

goals despite opposition.

Types of classes• The Upper: the wealthiest and most powerful ( about 1% of

the population)

• The Upper-Middle: highly educated professionals (doctors, lawyers, corporate managers). Most shaped by education.

• The Middle: Educated (2 or 4 year degree) and job secure. (teachers, nurses, managers) 30% of population

• Working: Semi-skilled factory or clerical workers 30% of population

• Working Poor: Live just above the poverty line (lower level jobs combined with big families often)20% of population

• The Underclass: People living below the poverty level (3-5% of population)

Inequality in the U.S.• Income inequality is often depicted as a pie.– The top 5% received more than 20% of all income.– The poorest 20% received only 4% of all income.

• During the last two decades of the 20th century the gap between the rich and the poor grew.

• Minorities are hurt even further by income inequality.– Over half of all African-Americans and Latino/a fall

within the lowest two income categories.

Journal QuestionExplain the following quote:

“Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor.”

James Baldwin

Consequences of Inequality• People who are wealthy and well-educated

are likely to be healthier than the poor.• The poor have shorter life expectancies and

higher infant mortality rates.• Lack of affordable housing and substandard

housing.• Parents with limited incomes are not able

to provide the same educational opportunities.

• Schools are funded by local taxes, so poorer communities receive less funding.