Social Classes in the USA

Running Head : SOCIAL CLASSES IN AMERICA

American Social Hierarchy

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The phrase , social class , is a sore point in various parts of the American body : talking about it or merely even referring to its existence is almost a taboo for some . For a country that believes in democracy - with its core ideas of fraternity , liberty and equality - social class is a concept that many choose to ignore or deny the existence thereof . The righteous would

not hear of people being treated differently because of race , economic status , gender , or age . The very idea ! But then , the very concept of a functioning society is founded upon the existence of social class without it , it would not be necessary to improve oneself , to reach for the ultimate American dream and basically , to live . Some exist to serve and give , others exist to be serviced and receive it is a rule

In this , however , we limit ourselves to discussing social class in terms of inequality in wealth , as it is perhaps the most predominant , all-encompassing aspect of society that feeds the social-class concept people may have the same racial origins , gender etc .but have different economic statuses , and thus , different lives and lifestyles

There exist various points of view regarding the existence - or not - of social classes in America . Some believe that there are three basic rungs in the social ladder , these being , in informal terms , the poor , the middle-class , and the rich . Others believe that each rung has its own divisions , because members of the same category differ in specific terms such as wealth : the middle-class consists of an upper- and lower- division , and the poor ' has either the working class ' or the lower class , which is presumably the lowest of the low

Still others , however , refuse to believe in the existence of such social classes these people are either the compassionate sort who abhor inequity , or the sort who are insecure of their own status , and refuse to be relegated into some category along with unfortunate others

Whatever the case , so long as money , and even the mere concept of it exists , there will always be inequity . It is important for us to note two things when discussing social class based on economic status , these being wealth and income (Domhoff , 2006 . They may seem to be similar terms , as indeed , they refer to money , but they are , in fact , more than just that . Income , he says , refers to the monetary equivalent of work done , i .e . a wage or salary , and /or property sold

Wealth , on the one hand , refers to the monetary equivalent of properties that may be resold , and not in use for daily living , such as real estate or jewelry . Jewelry may indeed be used daily , but what he meant is that in referring to wealth owned , we exclude the kitchen appliances that depreciate in economic value with use , such as the refrigerator...