Social class in America - Essay Example

The line that separates the social classes can be vague. Just what the dividing line is and what determines it is subject to the individual’s perception of social standing. Using upper, middle and lower class to classify the various categories in which people may fit is not sufficient. Society is more complex than that. A person’s social standing depends greatly on their upbringing. Simply because a person from a poor family becomes wealthy does not mean they can buy their way into the upper class.

The opposite is true as well. This paper breaks the social classes into seven groups to better understand the social classes in American.A person from the upper class is very likely to have been born there and have been schooled from the start to, above all else, represent the upper class ideal of power and prestige. This group is also much more likely than not to have inherited their fortune. Despite the popular perception of this class, they usually do not speak well or behave in a “gentlemanly” way, more like spoiled rich kids for life.

Dudley Moore’s character in the movie Arthur is an accurate description of the upper class. The lower-upper class is often referred to as “new money” as opposed to the “old money” upper class. This group and their children did not grow up privileged, therefore, understand the value of a dollar, have a good work ethic, are motivated and set goals. Upper-middle class refers to well respected and well paid professional occupations such as doctors, college professors and attorneys. They are considered successful by all classes, especially so by the middle class.

The upper-middle is more cultured than the upper or lower-upper class. This group is the biggest supporters of the theater, ballet, symphony and art museums. A person must have at least a bachelor degree but preferably have attained a post-graduate degree to be considered part of the upper-middle class (Skinner, 2009). The middle class acts as the dividing line between the upper and lower classes, neither of which has any love for the middle class. The true middle class are the movers and shakers of the nation.

They are the real estate and insurance agent, stock broker, entrepreneur, middle manager, car salesman and local politician. They dress for success while fantasizing about expensive cars pretty women and big houses. “In a free-market society the middle class is always a minority. If your street has a gate and a security camera at the end of it then you are middle class. A middle-class kid can afford a college education, not a web-based degree” (Mason 2010). A middle-class family does not have the electricity shut off due to lack of payment or skip any meals and can afford at least once a year family vacation.

The class known as upper-labor is usually associated with the middle class but actually is not. Though some in this group may make more money than some in the middle class and carry more political clout, they lack the people skills, education and refined character. Their knowledge of culture, history and current events falls short of the middle and upper classes. They are not as adventurous or as well-read in addition to lacking the natural curiosity and drive of the middle class. The lower-labor class is unskilled workers; the roofer, security guard, landscaper, toll booth collector, etc.

They do not have expendable income. All their earnings are spent on necessities and they usually come up short each month. They generally must live in small, bug infested government subsidized housing units located in bad neighborhoods. “Life is lived always under the poverty level and hope and religion play a large role in this class’ culture, because that’s really all it has” (Skinner, 2009). They have very little chance, if any, for upward social mobility and they know this unfortunate reality which leads to drug and alcohol use and abuse which is common.

This is the social class that you see on television shows like