Class Structure: Difference In Terms Of American Social Class

American Class Structure

One’s class position can make an enormous difference in terms of lifestyle. Social classes are identified by wealth and income; social class affects consumption, education, health and access to political power. The class structure consists of upper class, middle class, lower middle class, working class, lower class and underclass.
The upper class consists of approximately 5% of all American households. These households earn more than about $300,00 a year, most of these Americans are wealthy but not extraordinary rich. The civilians, who are in upper class own more than one home, drive expensive automobiles, fly first class and educate their children in private schools. Wealthy people tend to be the head of majority

corporations, invest in stocks and bonds and real estate. Also, upper class people are very involved in politics, influenced by the national, state and local levels. The superrich are likely to donate generous amounts of money to fine arts, hospitals and charities.
Under upper class comes the middle class, a “diverse group of occupations, lifestyles, and people who earn stable incomes at primarily white-collar jobs” (Giddens p. 210). The middle class includes about slightly more than half of all American households. This class consists of high-income professionals such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, professors etc. Also including retail shops, small businesses and large farm owners. Household income ranges between $120,000 to $300,000, this includes about 20% of all American households. Middle class people tend to have college education with advanced degrees, which gives them secure jobs that provide health and retirement benefits. Unlike the upper class, middle class doesn’t tend to enjoy the same luxuries homes and automobiles or social connects. According to the book “Introduction to Sociology” middle class, owns comfortable homes, drive expensive late-model cars, have some savings and investment, and are often active in local politics and civic organizations. Under middle class comes the lower middle class, the make up 40% of all American households and income ranges from about $48,000 to $120,000. The lower middle class job occupations consists of office workers, elementary and high school teachers, nurses, police officers firefighters and many other occupations that provide skilled services. They live in modest homes, have late model automobiles (not the most expensive ones). They are rarely into political views, but they do take advantage of their rights to vote.