Social class identities Flashcards
What are the 4 classes?
- Upper class (+ super rich)
- Middle class
- Working class (traditional + new)
- Underclass
What is social class?
A ‘contested concept’ as it is difficult to define which social class someone belongs to, but there are indicators of an individual’s social class position
What do Palkuski and Walters think about social class?
Changing, no longer significant
- Social class, as a means of identity, is no longer significant, so is dead
- There has been a shift from production to consumption in the definition of identity (work centred to consumerism)
What do Postmodernists (Taylor/Polhemus) think about social class identity?
Changing, no longer significant
- Uk provides choices and opportunities to everyone, depsite social class/background, such as: university, travelling, home owning
- Choice over social class identity- supermarket of style/pick n mix
What did Offe say about social class identities?
Changing, no longer significant
- In today’s society, fewer individuals share a common, unifying experience of full time work
- We create our own identities, regardless of family’s class, qualifications, job, etc
What is an example of changing social class identities?
- Contemporary UK gives choices and opportunities to everyone (uni, travelling, homeowning)
- Media gives access to a range of info and cultural experiences
What is an example of social class identities NOT changing?
- Social class backgrounds remain the most significant indicators of outcome (education, health, life expectancy)
- There is a difference is culture and lifestyle between people from different social and economic backgrounds
What do Marxists think about social class?
Not changing, still significant
- Social class is still significant, as there are still divisions within society, due to class
- Ruling class on top, working class ordered to follow values
What does Bordieu say about social class?
Not changing, siill significant
- The rich stay rich and at the top of sociey (through capitals)
- The poor stay poor
- The ruling class use their power to ensure that they, and their children stay in their societal position
What are the 3 types of capital?
- Cultural capital (knowledge, attitudes, skills, education and advantages)
- Economic capital (economic resources)
- Social capital (resources based on group membership, relationships, networks of influence and support)
What are some of the indicators of social class?
- Holidays
- Accent/language
- Occupation
- Wealth/assets
- Housing
- Money/income
- Cars
- Education
- Norms and values
- Hobbies/activities
Who are the upper class?
Those with inherited wealth, often in the form of land or money (from inheritance)
What are the 3 main groups of the upper class?
- Traditional
- Owners of industry and commerce
- Entertainment stars
What are the key features of the upper class?
- Private education
- Military service
- Employing domestic staff
- High culture
What are some of the activities enjoyed by the upper class?
- Polo
- Shooting
- Ballet
- Going to the theatre/opera
- Hunting
What did Mackintosh, Mooney and Scott say about the upper class?
Still significant
- The upper cass operate on ‘social closure’
What is ‘social closure’?
- Closing off opportunities to ‘outsiders’
- Their (upper class) education, leisure time, daily lives are separated and partially invisible from the rest of the population
What is the ‘Old Boys Network’?
- Shows how education connects the upper class, to create a ‘social capital’
- These connections enale for the rich to remain wealthy and powerful, as they use their connection to maintain status ofr their children too
What is Bordieu’s cultural capital?
- Parents socialise their children into the attitudes and knowledge needed to succeed in high society
- This may include the right ways of speaking, etiquette and confidence in different social situations
Who are the super rich?
- People whose economic capital comes from their achievements, not their inheritance
- Success comes from hard work
- E.g: Elon Musk