Factors Indicating and Determining Class
Class is “one way societies sort themselves out…Classes are groups of people of similar economic and social position; people who for that reason may share political attitudes, lifestyles, consumption patterns, cultural interests, and opportunities to get ahead” (Scott and Leonhardt 8). According to the New York Times, class is determined by four major factors: education, occupation, income, and wealth. The newspaper also provides information on the status of class mobility in America and how it has changed over the years. According to David I. Levine, an economist, “‘ being born in the elite in the US gives you a constellation of privileges that very few people in the world have ever experienced… Being …show more content…
In my family’s opinion, education is the most important factor affecting class. Before reading Class Matters, I believed that education was the only factor that impacted class and class mobility. In my opinion, education is the key to success, and people only achieve their goals if they are educated. I have always been told that if I work hard and consistently earn high grades, I will be accepted into a renowned college, get a well paying job, and be able to buy the house of my dreams. My family thinks that a college education begins a chain …show more content…
Generally, occupation determines income, which in turn dictates wealth. All three factors are affected by and indicate class. In my experience, people belonging to the upper class have better jobs than the lower class, meaning they have a higher income and have accumulated wealth. This is because people in the upper class are educated and highly skilled. The more skills a person has, the more income he earns. Doctors, for example, are affluent because of their occupation. They have important skills that enable them to save lives, so they earn copious amounts of money. With this money, they are able to build enormous mansions and live in the best areas of the city. In my opinion, class is determined by wealth, which is determined by occupation. If a person has a better job than his peers, he receives more income, has more wealth, and belongs to a higher class. Class Matters confirms my opinion and experience on this subject. Mentioned in chapter 2 of Class Matters, Jean Miele is a high-profile architect. He is a millionaire because of his occupation and income. Therefore, he belongs to the upper class. His occupation defines his income and wealth, which determines his class. Will Wilson, who is a utility worker, earns around $75,000 a year and has some material wealth, so he belongs to the middle class. Ewa Gora is a maid. She earns about $21,000 annually and rents a home. Consequently, she belongs to the working class. The
Class is “one way societies sort themselves out…Classes are groups of people of similar economic and social position; people who for that reason may share political attitudes, lifestyles, consumption patterns, cultural interests, and opportunities to get ahead” (Scott and Leonhardt 8). According to the New York Times, class is determined by four major factors: education, occupation, income, and wealth. The newspaper also provides information on the status of class mobility in America and how it has changed over the years. According to David I. Levine, an economist, “‘ being born in the elite in the US gives you a constellation of privileges that very few people in the world have ever experienced… Being …show more content…
In my family’s opinion, education is the most important factor affecting class. Before reading Class Matters, I believed that education was the only factor that impacted class and class mobility. In my opinion, education is the key to success, and people only achieve their goals if they are educated. I have always been told that if I work hard and consistently earn high grades, I will be accepted into a renowned college, get a well paying job, and be able to buy the house of my dreams. My family thinks that a college education begins a chain …show more content…
Generally, occupation determines income, which in turn dictates wealth. All three factors are affected by and indicate class. In my experience, people belonging to the upper class have better jobs than the lower class, meaning they have a higher income and have accumulated wealth. This is because people in the upper class are educated and highly skilled. The more skills a person has, the more income he earns. Doctors, for example, are affluent because of their occupation. They have important skills that enable them to save lives, so they earn copious amounts of money. With this money, they are able to build enormous mansions and live in the best areas of the city. In my opinion, class is determined by wealth, which is determined by occupation. If a person has a better job than his peers, he receives more income, has more wealth, and belongs to a higher class. Class Matters confirms my opinion and experience on this subject. Mentioned in chapter 2 of Class Matters, Jean Miele is a high-profile architect. He is a millionaire because of his occupation and income. Therefore, he belongs to the upper class. His occupation defines his income and wealth, which determines his class. Will Wilson, who is a utility worker, earns around $75,000 a year and has some material wealth, so he belongs to the middle class. Ewa Gora is a maid. She earns about $21,000 annually and rents a home. Consequently, she belongs to the working class. The