Class structure in the US?

[renard_ruse]

I know that we have a very flexible class structure at least in terms of income levels. People will often change "classes" in terms of income at various times in their lives. However, in a more cultural sense I think class identities are still with us. The class identity one has growing up, even if it doesn't necessarily correspond to actual family income level, is an important part in shaping our outlook throughout our lives.

How do you divide the socio-economic classes in the US today? I would tend to say:

Upper class, rich
Upper middle class
Middle middle class
Lower middle class, blue collar, "working class"
Welfare class, underclass
Homeless bums

Growing up I would say my family was probably middle middle class, though I more identified with the lower middle class. Always hated the upper middle class, not because of economic issues but culturally. Not a surprise that group is also the home of much of the white liberal population. Never liked those people at all.

How about you, what class do you identify with?

 

[Adre]

Homeless bum, but I truly enjoy Grey Poupon on my ham sandwich. And I prefer Bentley to Rolls

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I know that we have a very flexible class structure at least in terms of income levels. People will often change "classes" in terms of income at various times in their lives. However, in a more cultural sense I think class identities are still with us. The class identity one has growing up, even if it doesn't necessarily correspond to actual family income level, is an important part in shaping our outlook throughout our lives.

How do you divide the socio-economic classes in the US today? I would tend to say:

Upper class, rich
Upper middle class
Middle middle class
Lower middle class, blue collar, "working class"
Welfare class, underclass
Homeless bums

Growing up I would say my family was probably middle middle class, though I more identified with the lower middle class. Always hated the upper middle class, not because of economic issues but culturally. Not a surprise that group is also the home of much of the white liberal population. Never liked those people at all.

How about you, what class do you identify with?

Class isnt based on income, class is determined by how you get your money, and how you spend your time.

The proletariat get a paycheck. The middleclass are self employed. The elites clip bond coupons.

 

[renard_ruse]

Class isnt based on income, class is determined by how you get your money, and how you spend your time.

The proletariat get a paycheck. The middleclass are self employed. The elites clip bond coupons.

That sounds more like a 19th / early 20th definition. What about the distinctions within the middle class? I also divide the classes this way:

Rich: Upper class and Upper Middle Class
Middle Income: Middle middle class and Lower middle class (what could be called the Proletariat I suppose)
Lower income: lower class and poor

There is a clear difference in voting patterns and social attitudes between the upper middle class and the rest of the middle class. These are the latte sipping PBS radio listening two income professional, usually childless, Democrat types. That group is all that is wrong with America. The actual rich aren't as bad as the upper middle class.

 

[renard_ruse]

This thread is waaaay better than Rory's thread about raising taxes on the poor.

 

[renard_ruse]

This thread is Da Bomb.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

That sounds more like a 19th / early 20th definition. What about the distinctions within the middle class? I also divide the classes this way:

Rich: Upper class and Upper Middle Class
Middle Income: Middle middle class and Lower middle class (what could be called the Proletariat I suppose)
Lower income: lower class and poor

There is a clear difference in voting patterns and social attitudes between the upper middle class and the rest of the middle class. These are the latte sipping PBS radio listening two income professional, usually childless, Democrat types. That group is all that is wrong with America. The actual rich aren't as bad as the upper middle class.

The definition is circa 1980. Paul Fussell wrote a book on the subject. CLASS IN AMERICA. He says Tampa is the proletariat capital of America. More bowling alleys, titty bars, fast-food, and dropouts.