Social Class

Social Class Vocabulary Class Consciousness Working poor Underclass

Top to Bottom Upper Class Middle Class Could divide into upper-upper and lower upper Upper-upper money through inheritance or name Lower-upper money through achievement Examples Middle Class Most Americans consider themselves here, but not true No national and international power College educated Upper middle Lower middle

Top to Bottom Working Class Working Poor Also known as lower middle class Below average income Unstable employment Usually no hospital insurance and retirement benefits Working Poor People employed at low skill jobs with the lowest pay Clerical worker, manual laborers, service workers Do not earn enough to raise above the poverty line

2008 HHS Poverty Guidelines Federal Poverty Guidelines

Top to Bottom The Underclass Composed of people usually unemployed Usually come from families with a history or unemployment Lack of skills to move up Few ways to make it out

Two Upper Classes 1. Upper Upper - Old Money 2. Lower Upper - New Money Three Middle Classes 1. Upper Middle - Professional 2. Middle Class - White Collar and Entrepreneurs 3. Working Class - Blue Collar Two Lower Classes 1. Upper Lower - Unskilled Laborers 2. Lower Lower - Socially and Economically Disadvantaged