Social Class in the United States

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There is much debate about the issue of social class in the United States. There are arguments about whether social classes are distinctly separate or fluid, dependent upon one’s community or society as a whole, and if they are subjective or objective (Hughes and Jenkins). However, despite the debate surrounding social classes, it is still important to try to define them and analyze their effects, as they are such an important part of our identity and our opportunities in society. Although our society has tried to appear as though we have no classes, and it is becoming harder to tell what class someone is in by material goods, classes do still exist today (Scott and Leonhardt). The trend has been to divide the U.S. into four major classes: the elite or upperclass, the middle class, the working class, and the lower class (Goldschmidt). However, some divide the middle and working class further. Classes are separated depending upon one’s income, wealth, power, prestige, opportunity, culture, occupation, and values. But one similarity that remains is that the majority of Americans still believe in equal opportunity and social mobility, although research shows that there are far less cases of it than most people would think (Scott and Leonhardt). Education has become crucial in the placement of one into social class, or the ability to move upward in class, even though the education one receives is largely based on the social class one is in to begin with (APA). Family structure is also affected by social class. With the increase in dual earner couples, defining social class among husbands and wives is more difficult than ever (Scott and Leonhardt). Parental values also differ among the classes, as parents often bring thei... ... middle of paper ... ...Life Education." Family Relations 45.2 (1996): 175-. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 7 Feb. 2012. Mickelson, Roslyn Arlin and Stephen Samuel Smith. 1992. "Education and the Struggle Against Race, Class and Gender Inequality." Pp. 359-376 in Race, Class and Gender: An Anthology, edited by Margaret Andersen and Patricia Hill Collins. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company. Scott, Janny, and David Leonhardt. "Class Matters: Shadowy Lines That Still Divide." New York Times. The New York Times Company, 15 May 2005. Web. 06 Feb. 2012. . Wright, James D., and Sonia R. Wright. "Social Class and Parental Values for Children: A Partial Replication and Extension of the Kohn Thesis." American Sociological Review 41.3 (1976): 527-37. JSTOR. Web. 07 Feb. 2012. .

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