Importance of Social Class

1630 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Social stratification social class

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.

Show More
Related

  • Literary Analysis Of James W. Loewen's 'Land Of Opportunity'

    1370 Words  | 3 Pages

    In his essay “Land of Opportunity” James W. Loewen details the ignorance that most American students have towards class structure. He bemoans the fact that most textbooks completely ignore the issue of class, and when it does it is usually only mentions middle class in order to make the point that America is a “middle class country. This is particularly grievous to Loewen because he believes, “Social class is probably the single most important variable in society. From womb to tomb, it correlates with almost all other social characteristics of people that we can measure.” Loewen simply believes that social class usually determine the paths that a person will take in life. (Loewen 203)

    Read More

  • Freedom for Humanity, by Kalen Ockerman

    1143 Words  | 3 Pages

    The class system has been in place within humanity since the very birth of economic trade. It is a fact of life that others will seek self-betterment and gain power to provide for those that they love and their own personal interest. Throughout the years the implementation of a social class system has helped to differentiate the types of economic situations as nation and serve as a system to work toward the betterment of the society as a whole. However, as the world became more productive and the gaps between the higher classes and lower classes increased the efficiency of the social class system and the decisions made from the individuals within it has been called into question. Kalen Ockerman opened the channel to question if the class system is the helpful institution that benefits of all its citizens or if the lower classes are not getting the support and attention they deem necessary.

    Read More

  • Class in Australia Today

    1062 Words  | 3 Pages

    (p1) Broadly speaking, class is about economic and social inequality… (p6) We have a tendency for groups of advanced people to congregate together, and groups of disadvantaged people to congregate so that inequalities persist from generation to generation.

    Read More

  • The Education of the Lower Class: A Perpetual Problem

    1268 Words  | 3 Pages

    Class for the purpose of this paper is the concept that those who are better off are of what can be considered to be upper class and those that lack financial means are of the lower class. Mantsios says that there is an absence of discussion in reference to the distinctions of classes (697). In a study performed by Susan Ostrander, in regards to the term “upper class” one woman responded “‘I hate to use the word ‘class.’ We are responsible, fortunate people, old families, the people who have something’” (697). Yet it appears to be opposite that those who are in this lower class realize the plight they suffer. As one student from Fremont High School noted, “‘The owners of the sewing factories need laborers. Correct…It’s not going be their own kids… You’re ghetto,’ said Fortino unrelentingly to her. ‘So Sew!’”(Kozol 645). The student who knew that he was more than likely to be stuff in his place was willing to point out this fault of the system. This topic which more than likely the well-off woman would stray from rather because she had life easier than Fortino will in his lifetime.

    Read More

  • The Importance of a Person’s Social Class

    689 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, has many social class conflicts presented in the book. The main thing that Steinbeck concentrates on is the fact that if a man had land he had a name, he had a purpose. Though some men in the 1930’s were living in poverty and having to struggle to provide for their family, they still had a place, their land kept them grounded, they didn’t feel like they were ultimately losing everything. Steinbeck tells a story about a family that got their land taken away from them and their struggle to continue on with their lives.

    Read More

  • Difference Between Social Class And Sociological Imagination

    1057 Words  | 3 Pages

    What is social class? Well, in my opinion, “social class” refers to a group of people with similar levels of wealth, power and status. There are three “class” of social class in real life which are “top 1%”, “middle 20%” and “lowest 20%”. I grew up mostly in my country, Vietnam because I just been here for almost two years. Actually, my family in my country was a wealthy family because my mother has a restaurant and her business was very thrived. Meanwhile, my father has a real estate job and it was also very thrived. Therefore, I was very lucky to live in a “middle class” family which gave me much good conditions to be able to grow up as well. We could live in a big single house with full facilities,

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Class In America By Gregory Mantsios

    1572 Words  | 4 Pages

    Social and economic class is something we as Americans like to push into the back of our minds. Sometimes recognizing our class either socially or economically can almost be crippling. When individuals recognize class, limitations and judgment confront us. Instead, we should know it is important to recognize our class, but not let it define and limit us. In the essay, “Class in America”, Gregory Mantsios, founder and director of the Joseph S. Murphy Institute for Worker Education at the School of Professional Studies, brings to light the fact that Americans don’t talk about class and class mobility. He describes the classes in extremes, mainly focusing on the very sharp divide between the extremely wealthy and extremely poor. In contrast, George

    Read More

  • The Battle with Social Class

    761 Words  | 2 Pages

    The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics 2nd edition. Edited by Steven Durlauf and Lawrence Blume. Published by Palgrave Macmillan. Forthcoming. http://www.soc.cornell.edu/faculty/morgan/papers/Stratification.pdf

    Read More

  • Classism And Classism In Society

    1470 Words  | 3 Pages

    All these types discrimination work to create an undeniable presumption everyone should make ,which has the power to destroy people and their social morale.All of these types of discrimination are in place because of people who differ from the apex heterosexual ,caucasian male, that has access to wealth and resources.Because the United states is ever changing and becoming more diverse by each decade discrimination becomes more and more common because the masses of the society diverges from the apex rich white male. Classism is in place to cause people of higher class to presume negativity about anyone that appears flower class including lesser intelligence and

    Read More

  • Social Class Influence on Sports Participation

    1155 Words  | 3 Pages

    Torkildsen (2011) stated that the nature and definition of 'social class' is generally regarded as being problematic, as class not only relates to income or occupation but also upbringing and family background. "social class is often regarded as grouping on the basis of occupation, which is 'socioeconomic class' rather than social class" (Torkildsen, 2011 p.49). divine

    Read More

  • Sociology: Measuring Social Class

    1275 Words  | 3 Pages

    Social class can be measured unofficially by researchers or by using official scales that are government recognised. An example of an official scale is the Registrar Generals scale which was used in Britain from 1911 to 2000 and used by the government to measure social class. This model was split into two main classes, middle class and lower class. Each class was further divided into separate categories depending on how skilled the individual is. This system was relatively simple and easy to understand. However, the Registrar Generals scale was separated into classes based on the profession not the individual, meaning that individuals that were wealthy and lived off investments or inheritance would be excluded from this particular scale and not given a class position, this means it is not a clear picture of everyone’s position in society. Because the Registrar Generals scale measures occupation and does not take account of peoples own views of their class position, for example, someone with a middle class background may have a working class job but may not consider themselves as working

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Social Class

    2218 Words  | 5 Pages

    What is social class? It is a term used to describe a large group of people who share similar social or economic positions in society based on wealth, income, job status, education, skills or power in the political sphere. Class is not just about what you own or earn but also who you know. Class affects not only how we feel about ourselves, but how others judge and consequently treat us. Those at the top of the class structure, the elite, have more power than those in the middle and even more power than those at the bottom who are of lower class. Education is a highly valued commodity in our world. In his commentary on society Freud, claimed, “ No feature, however, seems better to characterize civilization than its esteem and encouragement

    Read More

  • How Poverty Affects Academic Performance

    2579 Words  | 6 Pages

    Kerbo, H. R. (2012). Social stratification and inequality: class conflict in historical, comparative, and global perspective (8th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Read More

  • Importance Of Social Class In To Kill A Mockingbird

    886 Words  | 2 Pages

    I will explore how social classes frankly appear and build up the story of the book by comparing and contrast with a modern social hierarchy. Today, we’re living in a society with social classes existing. We can be classified in different classes and so do I. I wish I could designate my social status, but unfortunately, our social classes are usually determined by wealth (income), occupation, education and prestige. Social class can be shown in a pyramid structure and it usually comprises with upper class, upper middle class, lower middle class, working class and lower class.

    Read More

  • Social Stratification: What Is Social Stratification?

    740 Words  | 2 Pages

    Social stratification is defined as, “a system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy” (BOOK). One person does not influence social stratification, social stratification labels and “defines” that individual. In other words, social stratification subconsciously categorizes people based on several factors such as wealth, income, jobs, and statuses. People, or sociologists, who focus on the inequalities of social stratification focus on the inequalities of each strata. Different cultures have different systems of social stratification. The two main systems of stratification that are used amongst different cultures are the caste system and the class system. The difference between these two systems

    Read More

More about Importance of Social Class

Open Document