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My office co-worker recently said that he wanted to move out of his neighborhood because it had become "too working class". I thought this statement was a bit odd. Do certian people dislike blue collar or other 9 to 5 people? Is this an example of a class system in action?

2007-01-14 06:27:02 · 20 answers · asked by LanceMiller77 2 in Social Science Sociology

20 answers

Yes, class does definately exist in America--though its different here than in Europe.

To understand why, you need to lok at what "class" means. It's primarily an economic concept--but does have social elements. Thus, the "upper class" in America are usually wealthy, or at least well-off. Most people are "middle-class." Few people in the US describe temselves as working class, though from an economic standpoint, they are.

Class has social overtones--and tends to be self-perpetuating-because it gives people access to a certain level of resources-and those have a lot to do with where you can afford to live, go to school, etc--and so on what your "life chances" are.

The big difference between the US and European countries is that in Europe its much more common for people to view themselves (and others) in terms of class. Often a "working class bloke" in England has that as part of his/her self-identity--to name one example. In the US the boundaries are far more fluid. BTW--in the US, people oftenuse the terms "blue-collar" v. "white'collar" work. But when you hear of someone as having a "blue-collar" family or bacground, it amounts to defining him/her as working class--though the terms are not equivalent, they are related.

2007-01-14 15:43:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

There is a very definite class system. There are 4 classes of people: The upper class, the middle class, the lower class, and the out-casts. You are familiar with all of them as the rich, the working class, the poor, and the criminals. What makes the class system in America different than caste or class systems elsewhere, is that anyone from any class can become a member of another class. Class by birth-right exists, and there is a certain animosity from one class to the others, at times, and snobbery. My mother used to tell me that there was also a fifth class: The no-class, and you can find them in any of the other classes.

2007-01-14 11:35:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Examine any large city and you will see a clearly defined class system. This is obvious by how the core areas are inhabited by non-working poor and the circles work outward as people become more affluent. New immigrants usually live close to airports as in the past they were first close to water ways then train stations.
The western culture pretends to be one of equality but if you notice the ghettos and other areas where certain groups are situated it is pretty hard to believe this. Even the tokenism doesn't alleviate these truths.

2007-01-14 06:36:25 · answer #3 · answered by Deirdre O 7 · 1 0

Yes, statistically upperclass people leave behind the crime and problems associated with the poorer class neighborhoods and move away to areas where their class is best represented by lifestyle and amenities.

Some people view their address as an extension of their worth, when a neighborhood has more crime, police calls, loss of property value due to poorer classes moving in, those that can move out before they lose too much in the way of equity and monetary value and relocate to the latest "hot" spot of desirable locales.

2007-01-14 06:45:06 · answer #4 · answered by Lady Wildwood 3 · 0 0

There most certainly is a class mentality in the US and its as apparent in slums as it is in affluent neighborhoods.

The rich and the poor typically resent each other, and the middle class was one and wants to be the other. Sure, the rich give money but if you were broken down on the freeway, my guess is that 10 times out of 10, an average citizen will stop to help you before a rich person ever would. (now, they may slow down and stare and call 911 if you werent nicely clothed )

Rich people buy their way out, poor people steal their way out, work their way out, or get a lucky break and slip out of poverty. Middle class is happy to be not poor anymore and works their hind end off to stay in the suburbs with all their monthly debt. Granted, they may not be moving forward or ahead but at least they have things and are making money to pay for them.

The classes are viewed as stepping stones. There are slightly wealthier people in low end neighborhoods that are on their way out, just one or two more financial breaks and they are GONE, outta there.

2007-01-14 06:40:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

We live in an older area of our city and the homes are, of course, older but there is a mix of different working people and some happen to be quite wealthy but prefer to stay in this neighbourhood as the other new neighbourhoods have special rules and are very expensive. If you don't want to put all your money into a house with none left over an older neighbourhood is good and it doesn't say anything about where you're at in life you're just not into materialistic bondage.

2007-01-14 08:47:29 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0 0

convinced, the style equipment nevertheless exists. Your instructor is ideal on that element. people do have a tendency no longer to intertwine outdoors their type equipment. as an celebration, Do you imagine that Paris Hilton, who's in the properly a million % would socialize with say someone who lives in the initiatives. to respond to the question on the white and blue collar, i do no longer agree the in trouble-free words authentic distinction between the White and Blue collars, is the quantity of coaching. They both can make an same volume. once you've a level, you're considered to be white collar. those are the pro jobs. Blue collar persons artwork in positions that would make an same volume jointly with being a production unit worker at Toyota, who will pay their workers properly dollar. i'm considered to be White Collar.

2016-10-31 02:20:08 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

yes, there is a class system in American and it is startling to know that the US government has developed it.
According to US economic statistics there are 5 classes:
the wealthy - only about 2%(it's growing) of the pop. this is Bill Gates and all the movie stars, rock stars & sports players.
then you have the upper class- millionaires, the upper middle class- the eyeopener- goes from about 50,000-millionaire status so it's a wide range,
then you have your middle class- another eyeopener- last stat suggested that it started at 12,000.-50,000. ok?
then you have your poverty level- below 12,000.
i didn't check the latest stats so this may be a little off but it is basically the right brackets.
it's hard to believe that the US govt. thinks that someone who makes 12,000. is middle class!
that's the reality of it all!

2007-01-14 15:56:20 · answer #8 · answered by Wild Honey 4 · 1 0

of course there is a class system in the US. Blue collar workers are generally considered lower class due to their job choice as well as general lack of education. They are usually at the lower end of the intelligence spectrum, tend to be smokers and alcoholics and have a higher percentage of police calls.

2007-01-14 06:36:23 · answer #9 · answered by ceprn 6 · 0 1

Of course there is. The wealthy can stereotypically be very arrogant and the middle class and lower class hate this ignorant arrogance so they become defensive and see them as snobs. It just creates a very large division of classes. Just think about all the division by race, ethnicity, religion, gender, culture, and other factors. The world is quite divided when you really think about it.

2007-01-14 06:38:12 · answer #10 · answered by yoink78 2 · 2 0

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