In general, social class refers to the distinctions between groups and individuals that are different from one society to another society or even within a particular society.
Each group of people believes in particular ideas like age, gender, education, religion, income, family background that place an individual in a higher or lower position in a society.
The social groups of the upper classes always possess a great deal of power which gives them the opportunity to subordinate the lower classes.
The concept of class in the United States:
Class in the United States is more about personal income, educational entertainment, and occupational prestige for people 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 because of such diversity it is impossible to draw distinctive lines between social classes in the United States, there are those who think it would be helpful if we considered the main classes to discuss and better understand class issues. .
American society categorized into five major class systems:
The first is the upper class which is 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 a 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 referring to those with a college education who generally suffer from a lack of job security. They do not receive adequate income as well.
The fourth system labeled as working class includes those 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 university) and suffer from low personal income.
Those who belong to 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 in the United States.
Culture, educational level and income are three factors that are so influential for an individual to identify as a member of the middle class.
Different social groups in US society have their own subcultures, including common beliefs and customs accepted by all members. Subcultures can influence how members view the world and even how they raise their children.
If an individual moves up or down from one social class to another, the members of a 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 the United States, as people become more educated, they can earn more money and hold more prestigious positions. Prestigious location is the other factor that, apart from higher education and comfortable income, influences an individual to identify himself as a member of the upper middle class or upper class.