Introduction to Defining and Measuring Social Class
Welcome to one of the most important chapters in your Sociology course! In this section, we explore how sociologists group people into different "layers" of society. This is called social stratification. Think of it like a ladder: some people are at the top with more resources, and some are at the bottom with fewer.
Understanding social class is vital because it affects almost everything in a person's life, from the job they do to how long they might live. However, as we will see, defining and measuring "class" is much harder than it looks. Don't worry if it feels a bit complex at first—we will break it down step-by-step!
1. What is Social Class?
In the UK today, social class is the main way we talk about social differentiation (the differences between groups). Unlike some societies where you are born into a fixed position (like a caste system), class in the UK is generally based on economic factors.
Most sociologists agree that class involves three main things:
• Wealth: The assets you own (like a house or savings).
• Income: The money you receive regularly (like wages or benefits).
• Occupation: The type of job you do.
The Theoretical View:
• Marxists (Conflict Theory): See class as a struggle between those who own the means of production (the Bourgeoisie) and those who sell their labor (the Proletariat).
• Functionalists (Consensus Theory): Believe class reflects a person’s value to society. Higher rewards go to those in the most important jobs to keep society running smoothly.
Key Takeaway:
Class is a way of grouping people based on their economic position in society, but different sociologists see the purpose of these groups differently.
2. How is Social Class Measured?
The most common way to measure class in the UK is through occupation (your job). This is because your job usually determines your income, your status, and who you socialise with.
Occupational Scales
Governments and sociologists use "scales" to put jobs into categories. For example, a doctor might be in a higher category than a shop assistant. These scales help researchers track things like:
• Life Chances: The opportunities people have for education, health, and success.
• Social Mobility: Whether people can move up or down the "ladder" compared to their parents.
The Transnational Capitalist Class
In a globalised world, measuring class isn't just about the UK anymore. We now see the rise of a transnational capitalist class. These are extremely wealthy individuals and owners of transnational corporations who have power and influence across many different countries, not just one. This makes measuring class more difficult because their wealth is spread globally.
3. Problems with Measuring Social Class
Measuring class isn't as simple as asking someone what their job is. There are several big "headaches" for sociologists here:
The Problem of Occupation
Is a job always a good indicator of class?
• Some people have "high status" jobs (like a priest) but earn very little money.
• Some people have "low status" jobs (like a plumber) but earn a very high income.
• Quick Tip: If a person is unemployed or retired, it becomes even harder to place them in an occupational scale!
The Problem of Gender
Traditionally, sociologists measured a whole family's class based on the "male head of the household."
• Why this is a problem: It ignores the fact that many women now earn more than their partners or have completely different types of jobs.
• Measuring class this way hides the inequality that women might face within the home or the workplace.
Subjective vs. Objective Class
• Objective Class: Where a scale says you belong based on your job.
• Subjective Class: Which class you feel you belong to.
Example: A person might work in a manual trade (working class job) but see themselves as "middle class" because they own their own home and go on expensive holidays.
Key Takeaway:
Using occupation as a "yardstick" for class is useful but flawed. It can struggle to account for the changing roles of women, the complexities of income, and how people feel about their own identity.
4. Class, Status, and Power
When we talk about stratification, it’s not just about money. We also need to look at:
• Status: The social honor or prestige you have. A nurse has high status but might have a lower "class" position than a business owner in terms of wealth.
• Power: The ability to get what you want, even if others disagree. The transnational capitalist class holds immense power over global politics and the environment.
Did you know? Even though we have "equal rights" in the UK, your class position still heavily influences your life chances. For example, people in higher-class occupations generally have better access to healthcare and live longer lives (this links to the chapter on Health!).
5. Summary and Quick Review
To do well in your exam, remember these three main areas of debate:
1. Definition: Class is usually about money and jobs, but it’s also about your identity and where you fit in the social structure.
2. Measurement: We mostly use occupation, but this is getting harder due to globalisation and the rise of the global elite.
3. Challenges: Always mention the "gender blind" nature of old class scales and the difference between your "actual" class and your "felt" class.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
• Don't assume everyone in the same job has the same class. Wealth (savings/property) is just as important as income (wages).
• Don't forget the global dimension. Class isn't just about the UK; transnational corporations and global inequality play a huge part now.
Note: For more on how class affects specific groups, see the chapter on "Stratification by social class, gender, ethnicity and age." For more on moving between classes, see "Changing structures of inequality and social mobility."