In general, social class refers to the distinctions between groups and individuals that are different from one society to another or even within a particular society.
Each group of people believes in particular ideas such as age, gender, education, religion, income, family origin that place an individual in a superior or inferior position in a society.
The social groups of the upper classes always possess a great deal of power that gives them the opportunity to subordinate the lower classes.
The concept of class in the United States:
Class in the United States refers more to personal income, educational level, and occupational prestige for those 25 and older. Although there are many people in the United States who believe that American society has been divided into three groups of poor, middle class, and rich, this society is more culturally and economically diverse. While some theorists believe that due to such diversity it is impossible to draw a distinctive line between social classes in the United States, there are some who think it will be helpful if we consider the main classes to discuss the class issue and understand it better. .
American society categorized into five major class systems:
The first is upper class, defined as those with a lot of power who are prestigious and influential, especially in the institutions of the nation.
The second class system is the upper middle class which refers to those who enjoy a high job with comfortable personal income. Most of them have received post-secondary degrees and belong to white-collar professions.
The lower middle class is the third system that refers to those with a university education who generally suffer from a lack of job security. They also do not receive adequate income.
The fourth system labeled as the working class includes individuals who belong to both blue-collar and white-collar workers; most of them have not received university degrees (there are even many who have never attended a university) and suffer from low personal income.
The lower class are marginalized and poor even though they work day and night.
Since most people in the United States know themselves as middle class, it would be helpful if we focused more on this particular system to understand the social conditions of the United States.
Culture, educational level and income are three factors that influence both an individual to identify himself as a member of the middle class.
Different social groups in American society present their own subcultures that include common beliefs and manners accepted by all members. Subcultures can influence the way members view the world and even the way they raise their children.
If an individual ascends or descends from one social class to another, the members of one class will change their class culture. As class culture changes the attitude of individuals towards the world, it can directly influence the need for education in the eyes of members of social classes and indirectly the income of members.
In America, as people become more educated, they can earn more money and occupy more prestigious positions. Prestigious location is the other factor that, in addition to higher education and comfortable income, influences an individual to identify as a member of the upper or upper middle class.