Importance of Social Class

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Introduction Social class assumes different definitions based on an individual’s view on the topic. The definition may take the 20th Century assumption of sociological strata and one portrayed by the imperialist understanding of class. The sociological perspective of social class highlights an individual’s or group’s classification, as well as their position in societal standing, as predetermined by history, economy, and the role that they are expected to play as a result of being in that stratum (Jereb and Ferjan 155). While social class may take different interpretations, the interpretation adopted in this study is that of social strata that one occupies in a socially stratified society. The argument here is that social class is increasingly becoming less important in our society. Supporting argument In traditional societies, people were highly divided in social class. For instance, individuals that were born in rich families were classified as top class citizens. This made it possible for these individuals to enjoy privileges that other lower class citizens could enjoy. For instance, the schools these children born in rich families attended defined the kind of friends they would keep. There were strict doctrines in behavior mode and training to behave in line with a child’s social class was strongly upheld. The middle class and the rich would interact in rare occasions. On the other hand, the middle class and the lower class citizens would also interact in rare occasions. Current societal setting still lingers in this challenge. However, the importance of social class is increasingly diminishing with proliferate of democracy and human rights. Initially, there was a general notion that some illnesses belonged to certain social ... ... middle of paper ... ...cial Equity: Marriage Equality and Racing towards Justice." Journal of Public Management & Social Policy 19.1 (2013): 19-29. ProQuest. Web. 5 Dec. 2013. "Pride and Prejudice - Social Class in Society". January 2013 January 2013 < http://www.researchomatic.com/Pride-And-Prejudice-Social-Class-In-Society-56554.html >. "Pride & Prejudice". Yahoo Movies. January 2013 Yahoo December 2013 < http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/pride-and-prejudice Roemer, John E. "Socialism vs. Social Democracy as Income-Equalizing Institutions." Eastern Economic Journal 34.1 (2008): 14-26. ProQuest. Web. 5 Dec. 2013. Rottman, David B., Damian F. Hannan, and Miriam M. Wiley. "Social Policy and Income Adequacy in the Republic of Ireland: The Importance of Social Class and Family Cycle." Journal of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland XXIV (1983): 1971. ProQuest. Web. 5 Dec. 2013.

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