Social Classes in America

Chapter 8 Section 3

Class Consciousness.

Class Consciousness: identification with the goals and interests of a social class. Relatively new concept to put people into different classes.Studying stratification (different layers) of classes in the United States.

Upper Class

Only 1% of population“Aristocracy”- Old Money Ex. Hilton sisters, Ford family, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt. Also a Lower- upper class

Wealthy because of achievement and earned income.Athletes, Stock market investors, entrepreneurs. May be better off but not accepted in exclusive social circles.

Middle Class

Most think of themselves as middle class.Only 50-60% of our population.Within the Middle class:Upper-middle: 14% of pop. $80,000/year.Middle-middle 30% of pop. $45,000/year.

Working Class and Working PoorWorking Class: 1/3 of population also referred as the lower-middle class.Below average income and unstable working environment. Working Poor: 13% of population, people employed in low-skill jobs with the lowest pay who do not earn enough to rise out of poverty. Ex. Manual labor, Fast food workers. $20,000/year.

Underclass

12% of populationUnderclass: people typically unemployed who came from families that have been poor for generations. Physical and mental disabilities are common. Lack of education and skills is most common characteristic.