Social Class and Its Division: Is it Really That Simple?
Paul Fussell, Thomas Gorman, Lars Eighner, and the authors of “Having Less, Giving More: The Influence of Social Class on Prosocial Behavior” all contest the popular notion that the division of social class is simple and based on economic status. Not only do the authors suggest their own theories as to what separates each social class from the next, but the authors all seem to have the same general idea that the social class system is more complex than previously suggested. Some even take a step further and suggest that members may have more in common with those on opposite ends of the spectrum than with those in the class directly below or above themselves. For example, Fussell establishes the idea that social class is not as simple as the three basic classes of high, middle, and low based on the financial assets of each member. Instead, he suggests that the source of said financial assets is more important (Fussell 2). The simplicity of social class division is similarly dissected in the “Having Less, Giving More” study, which claims that not only is social class more complex than originally suggested, but the division of social class is based on material wealth, among other factors (Piff, et al 772). As far as which attribute separates each class, the authors seem to have differing opinions. For example, Fussell supports the idea that the classes are …show more content…
Gorman also suggests that the gap between the two classes may result from “hurdles and roadblocks” that only working-class individuals face, citing traditional gender role socialization, childhood environment, and current societal trends as sources for possible roadblocks (Gorman
Paul Fussell, Thomas Gorman, Lars Eighner, and the authors of “Having Less, Giving More: The Influence of Social Class on Prosocial Behavior” all contest the popular notion that the division of social class is simple and based on economic status. Not only do the authors suggest their own theories as to what separates each social class from the next, but the authors all seem to have the same general idea that the social class system is more complex than previously suggested. Some even take a step further and suggest that members may have more in common with those on opposite ends of the spectrum than with those in the class directly below or above themselves. For example, Fussell establishes the idea that social class is not as simple as the three basic classes of high, middle, and low based on the financial assets of each member. Instead, he suggests that the source of said financial assets is more important (Fussell 2). The simplicity of social class division is similarly dissected in the “Having Less, Giving More” study, which claims that not only is social class more complex than originally suggested, but the division of social class is based on material wealth, among other factors (Piff, et al 772). As far as which attribute separates each class, the authors seem to have differing opinions. For example, Fussell supports the idea that the classes are …show more content…
Gorman also suggests that the gap between the two classes may result from “hurdles and roadblocks” that only working-class individuals face, citing traditional gender role socialization, childhood environment, and current societal trends as sources for possible roadblocks (Gorman