Social Class & Poverty in the US: Crash Course Sociology #24

Summary

This script from 'Crash Course Sociology' delves into the complexities of defining social class in America. It outlines five distinct social classes: upper class, upper middle class, average middle class, working class, and lower class, each with unique characteristics and challenges. The video explores income ranges, educational attainment, and the impact of economic conditions on these classes. It also addresses the nuances of poverty, including the federal poverty level and the 'working poor,' emphasizing the need to consider broader economic and social structures to understand poverty fully.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Social class in America is complex and difficult to define, with various perspectives influencing its classification.
• 🏭 According to Marx, society is divided into the bourgeoisie, who own the means of production, and the proletariat, who perform the labor.
• 🛠 Marx's model may oversimplify modern society, as it doesn't account for nuances like small business owners who also work in their businesses.
• 👔 Max Weber's definition focuses on the opportunities and resources available to individuals based on their social class, such as income, education, and prestige.
• 🏢 The American social class system is typically divided into five classes: upper class, upper middle class, average middle class, working class, and lower class.
• 💼 The upper class, or capitalists, hold significant wealth and power, with annual earnings of at least $250,000 and control over much of the country's wealth.
• 💰 Within the upper class, there's a distinction between 'old money' (inherited wealth) and 'new money' (self-made wealth).
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The middle class is further divided into upper middle, average middle, and lower middle classes, each with different income ranges and educational levels.
• 🏡 The average middle class typically earns between $50,000 and $115,000, and about half of this group has a college education.
• 🔧 The working class, or lower middle class, is characterized by manual labor jobs and includes those who may be more susceptible to economic downturns.
• 🏭 The lower class consists of blue-collar workers with annual incomes below $25,000, often working part-time jobs without benefits, and are more likely to live in impoverished areas.

Q & A

What are the challenges in defining social class according to sociologists?

Sociologists face challenges in defining social class because there isn't a single definition that fits all societies, and the definition used depends on the society being studied.

How does Marx's definition of social class categorize people?

Marx's definition categorizes people into two classes: the bourgeoisie, who own the means of production, and the proletariat, who perform the labor.

What is the issue with applying Marx's definition to modern society?

Marx's definition might be too simplistic for modern society as it doesn't account for nuances such as small business owners who work in their own businesses and blur the line between bourgeoisie and proletariat.

What alternative definition of social class does Max Weber propose?

Max Weber's definition focuses on the opportunities a person's class provides, considering income, education, power, and prestige as factors that define social class.

How many social classes are there in the United States according to the script?

There are five social classes in the United States: upper class, upper middle class, average middle class, working class, and lower class.

What are the characteristics of the upper class in the United States?

The upper class consists of capitalists, earning at least $250,000/year, and controlling much of the country's wealth, wielding significant political and social power.

How is the upper class further divided within itself?

The upper class is divided into sub-classes of old money (upper-upper class) and new money, with old money deriving wealth from inheritance and new money from work.

What is the income range for the upper middle class in the United States?

The upper middle class typically has incomes between $115,000 and $250,000 per year.

What distinguishes the working class from other social classes?

The working class is distinguished by jobs that involve manual labor, such as factory work, construction, and manufacturing, and they are sensitive to economic downturns.

What is the federal poverty level for a family of four as of 2017?

The federal poverty level for a family of four as of 2017 is $24,600.

How does the script describe the feminization of poverty?

The feminization of poverty refers to higher rates of poverty among women, often linked to single mothers raising children on their own and working low-wage jobs.