Devry SOCS185 2022 March Week 6 Discussion Latest

SOCS185 Culture and Society

Week 6 Discussion

Considering Social Class

Most Americans think of themselves as belonging to one of the following social classes:

Upper class

Middle class

Lower class (or Working class)

Underclass

Social class is associated with several factors, including, but not limited to

Wealth, including economic assets like homes, cars, and investments

Income

Occupation

Educational attainment and prestige

Family history

Religion, race, and ethnicity

Social class is to some degree a matter of self-perception. Most Americans think of themselves as being either Middle class or Working class. This perception is based upon comparison to others in the surrounding community. At the same time, two people who live in the same community and make about the same amount of money may still consider themselves to be from different social classes. People with college degrees who work in office environments tend to consider themselves as Middle class, while people working in construction, manufacturing, or mining see themselves as working class, even if they earn just as much or money than the office workers who live nearby.

In cities with a high cost of living, such as New York City, even those with incomes exceeding $400,000 per year--who most Americans would consider rich--tend to think of themselves as Middle class. They don't think of themselves as Upper class because they know other people who make much more money than they do, and because living costs are so high that they feel like they are struggling to keep up with their peers in the same social class.

Structural changes in the US economy have tended to exacerbate income inequality and widen class differences. Jobs that support a Middle-class lifestyle are increasingly tied to higher levels of educational attainment. Those without college degrees are finding that their career options are often limited to roles with low pay, limited benefits, and no path to advancement.

How would you describe your own social class? How do you feel about it? How does your social class affect your outlook on life? What privileges do you enjoy, and what barriers do you face because of your social class? Do you hope to "move up," and if so, how realistic do you think that goal is?