Social Class - Research Paper Example

Social Research paper is concentrated on the problem of social and its peculiarities in United States of America. This particular problem is remained to be rather interesting and essential for every social circle in general and American community in particular. Social stratification is considered to be a peculiar feature for our society and way of life. Question of inequality is regarded as an obligatory point in the social interaction. That is why this topic is seemed to be relevant and appropriate. Paper consists of an introductory part, main body and conclusions section. Introduction involves readers to the main facts and concepts of the social class. Main body part represents accurate information about the social class theories and its development through the history. Also information about social class division in USA is included. The last section dwells n a concluding response to this particular problem. The used method is accurate examination of the suggested literature together with the critical summarizing of the topic. Keywords: social class, inequality, social stratification. The notion of social class is closely connected with the concept of social stratification and is considered to be a part of it. Social stratification is a process that exists in each society that is not fantastic. This term designates the division of society into the different groups that form social hierarchy (Ferris and Stein, 2011). Social stratification reflects the characteristic of society and has its peculiar features in different countries and cultures. It is relevant to pay attention to the concept of social inequality that determines person’s status according to the material criteria and his/her wealth, power and influence (Ferris and Stein, 2011). If to appeal to the historical evidences it is possible to find gender, race and money inequality in America (Ferris and Stein, 2011). Still, with the construction of democratic society a huge part of social stratification is disappeared. Nevertheless, it is relevant to talk about the notion of social class and its division in present-day society. Social class is considered to be a system of stratification that is peculiar for the capitalist societies (Ferris and Stein, 2011). People are divided into the groups by their socioeconomic status and prestige (Ferris and Stein, 2011). Sociologists make a lot of discussions according to which this or that class is determined. What is more, there are some theoretical approaches to this question those are highly interested. Scientists consider the problem of social class from different perspectives that gives an opportunity to recognize the question on the level of macro context and referring to face-to-face analysis. Social theory of Karl Marx has been developed in the nineteenth century when people have faced with the beginning of industrialization (Ferris and Stein, 2011). Technical progress has called people from rural places to the cities for the better life. Such situation in the society has encouraged Marx to divide people to ones who have been the owners of production and people who have been a working power. These two groups are called bourgeoisie and proletariat accordingly (Ferris and Stein, 2011). Max Weber admits that it is not enough to determine person’s social class only by the wealth and money. He adds to this list prestige of individuality (Ferris and Stein, 2011). Max Weber suggests the idea that honor and professionalism of a person and his/her influence in the society perform an important role. French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu designates such notion as social reproduction and cultural capital (Ferris and Stein, 2011). Social reproduction corresponds to the idea that social class is predetermined by relatives of a person and passed down from one generation to the next one (Ferris and Stein, 2011). While cultural capital of a person refers to his/her tastes, habits and perspectives that are inherited from parents (Ferris and Stein, 2011). Modern approach to the theory of social class views this problem in rather different perspective. Symbolic interactionism theory supporters suggest the idea that an individualistic approach can change the system and vision of inequality (Ferris and Stein, 2011). David Sudnow and Erving Goffman concentrate their attention on a particular examination of a society. They develop an idea that socioeconomic class in various life situations may differ from the real one. Also, the notion of class consciousness is presented in the society that expresses people’s awareness about their social class (Ferris and Stein, 2011). To such extend, sometimes individuality may perform actions that prove his/her higher or lower class in society. As it is mentioned previously it is rather hard to identify social class of a person in some cases. Still, if to refer to the USA society it is possible to distinguish four basic classes. They are upper class, middle class, working class and lower class (Barkan, 2011). Each of them has its peculiar features and characteristics. It is worse to mention that upper class is regarded as the elites of American society, and these are people who earn more than $ 250,000 per year (Ferris and Stein, 2011). There are two groups of people in this section. The first group is characterized by so called “old money” that has been circulated from one generation to the next (Barkan, 2011). The second group is described by “new money” that has been earned by the representatives of upper class people in recent days (Barkan, 2011). People of the upper class have a lot of power and wealth in the world and are willing to allow different luxury things. They get education in the best educational institutions in the world and occupy the highest positions in business or other spheres. Middle class people cover a huge range of population in USA. These are considered to be people with year income range from $50,000 to $199,999 (Barkan, 2011). It is possible to distinguish the upper-middle class and the lower-middle class (Barkan, 2011). To this section belong people with stable and sufficient income and of many different specialties and occupations. People of this class have higher education and professional degree in different spheres. They are able to provide a normal and appropriate level of life to themselves and their family members. Working class people earn from about $25,000 to $49,999 per year (Barkan, 2011). Such people usually work on positions that not required special higher education. It should be admitted that their financial situation may seem to be really uncomfortable and they may change a number of jobs with unpleasant outcomes. Lower class people have household incomes under $25,000 and live a poor life with a chance to find themselves unemployed or partially employed (Barkan, 2011). Such people may not have appropriate basic education and have to rent apartment. Also, lack of medical insurance and bad household conditions are peculiar for lower class people. Mobility is regarded as a desire of a person for better life, and as it is mentioned “mobility is the promise that lies at the heart of the American dream” (Scott and Leonhardt, 2005). The matter is that people can demonstrate mobility and person from a lower class is able to rich the middle or even upper class. In addition, it is relevant to admit that in USA society the prevailing number of population belongs to the middle class. There are 46% of all households consider themselves as a middle class people (Barkan, 2011). The situation is stable; still, there is a space for development as 25% of households in USA belongs to the lower class (Barkan, 2011). Taking all facts under consideration it is possible to conclude that social class questions perform highly important roles in society and people’s lives. It is relevant to admit that there are different theoretical approaches to this particular problem that demonstrate different attitudes to the class division. Socioeconomic status is considered to be the crucial point in the process of determining social class of a person. Also, it should be admitted that people in USA are mostly of a middle class that says about stable income and worthy life of a population in USA. Reference List: Barkan, S. (2011). Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World. USA: Flat World Knowledge. Ferris, K. and Stein, J. (2011). The Real World. USA: Norton Publishing, 4th Edition. Scott, J. and Leonhardt, D. (2005). Shadowy Lines That Still Divide. Class Matter. 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