Representations of Social Class Flashcards
social class - mainstream media gaze
representations of social class filtered through eyes of middle-class media owners more favourable stereotypes & over-representations of middle-class
social class - presentations of values & lifestyles
middle-class presented as the norm working-class presented as abnormal/deviant & figures of fun
social class - what is class seen as now?
lifestyle choice rather then an economic category taste in consumer goods symbolic of class identity
social class - what news is seen as newsworthy and which ones aren’t?
rich/famous more likely to be reported
coverage about poverty must include extreme cases to make it newsworthy
social class - marxists & neo-marxists
media representations reflect interests of the powerful little media content that discusses class privilege, inequality, power differences working-class people devalues
social class - representations of working-class
under-represented stereotypes negatively as they fail to conform to middle-class values/norms
social class - working-class newspapers
do not include public affairs
include exaggerated interest stories, celebrity lifestyles, entertainment
social class - working-class; dumb and stupid buffoons
figures of fun; well-intentions but flawed, immature, irresponsible, inarticulate, lack common sense e.g. royle family middle-class must supervise them and provide role models
social class - effect of negative representations of working-class
reinforces ideological hegemony of the dominant values & justifies existing patterns of inequality
social class - working-class; source of trouble and conflict
presented in context of crime; welfare scroungers, lone parents, unable to control their delinquent children crime seen as working-class phenomena neo-marxist (GMG); portrayed to act against groups that challenge dominant ideology
social class - working-class; living in idealised/romanticised working-class
positively as respectful, hardworking, struggle to overcome their situation
supportive network & linked macho behaviour, masculinity, physical hard work
does not represent reality as they’ve disappeared since the decline of traditional industries
eastenders written by middle-class people (patronising, untruthful)
social class - working-class; white trash and scum
chavs; filthy, foul-mouthed, benefit dependent devalues working-class, maintain middle-class identity superior jeremy kyle show; chav-like dysfunctional working-class people with lives in disorder
social class - effect of blaming working-class for being poor
poor are poor because of their own failing rather than structural inequalities of wealth/social deprivation
neutralises public sympathy, encourages audiences to laugh than understand
reinforces cultural hegemony of dominant, normalises middle-class
social class - representations of middle-class
over-represented
more exposure to their lifestyle than their proportion
positive light; mature, sensible, educated, successful
social class - middle-class families
well-functioning unit
consumption/taste is the norm that everyone should aspire to
