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The American Class System: Social Class Determination and Social Mobility

Explore the dynamics of the American class system, including methods of determining social class, the different classes in the US, and the concept of social mobility. Understand the influence of income, occupation, education, and other factors on social class. Discover how advancements in technology impact upward mobility.

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The American Class System: Social Class Determination and Social Mobility

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  1. Chapter 9 Section 2

  2. American Class System • The US has a fairly wide open class system. • We have laws in place that forbids discriminating based on ascribed statuses. • However, in the US the rate for social mobility is not equal for every segment of American society.

  3. Determining Social Class • The reputational method asks individuals to rank other community members based on what they know of their characters and lifestyles. • The subjective method allows people to determine their own social rank. Most people say they are middle class.

  4. Determining Social Class • The objective method has sociologists define social class by income, occupation, and education.

  5. Class in the US • The upper class makes up about 1 percent of the population. • This class controls most of the wealth. • “Old” money comes from inheritance and “new” money comes from a person’s efforts. • Membership in the upper class carries great power and influence.

  6. Class in the US • The upper middle class makes up about 14 percent of the population. • These people are primarily high-income businesspeople and professionals. • Membership is based on income rather than assets. • Many people are politically and socially active.

  7. Class in the US • The lower middle class makes up about 30 percent of the population. • Most of these individuals hold white-collar jobs. • Not as large of an income but they live comfortable lives.

  8. Class in the US • The working class also makes up about 30 percent of the population. • These people have jobs that require manual labor (blue-collar jobs). • Many of these jobs carry a low prestige level.

  9. Class in the US • The working poor makes up about 22 percent of the population. • These people have the lowest paying jobs. • The underclass makes up about 3 percent of the population. • Their chief source of income is often public assistance.

  10. Social Mobility • Social mobility is the movement between or within social classes. • Horizontal mobility is the movement within a social class. • Vertical mobility is the movement between social classes. • Intergenerational mobility is where different generations may move their class.

  11. Upward and Downward Mobility • New technologies often help upward mobility. • Farming technology created a large number of unemployed farmers. • Upward mobility was fostered by the higher level of education by the people.

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