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

Social Class in America

This section introduces the topic of social class in America and highlights the challenges in defining it. Different definitions of social class are discussed, including Marx's definition and Max Weber's perspective on opportunities and resources.

Defining Social Class

• Social class is difficult to define as there isn't a single definition that applies universally.

• Marx's definition includes two classes: bourgeoisie (owners of means of production) and proletariat (laborers).

• Weber's perspective focuses on opportunities and resources associated with a person's class.

• Social class can be defined as a group with similar income, education, power, and prestige.

Questions about Social Classes

• The video raises questions about different types of upper class, the inclusiveness of the middle class, and the reality of poverty in America.

Social Classes in America

This section provides an overview of the five social classes in American society: upper class, upper middle class, average middle class, working class, and lower class. Distinctions within the upper class based on wealth sources are also discussed.

Upper Class

• The upper class consists of capitalists who earn at least $250,000/year and control significant wealth.

• Within the upper class, there are subcategories based on old money (inheritance-based wealth) or new money (wealth from work).

Middle Class

Upper Middle Class

• Upper middle-class families have incomes between $115,000 and $250,000 per year.

• They typically have college degrees and hold prestigious jobs like doctors or lawyers.

• They own homes in good school districts and have financial investments.

Average Middle Class

• Average middle-class families make between $50,000 and $115,000 per year.

• They tend to own homes but may have more burdensome mortgages.

• About half of this group is college-educated, often attending public universities.

Working Class

• The working class includes blue-collar workers engaged in manual labor.

• Their jobs are sensitive to economic fluctuations and don't usually require a college education.

Conclusion

The transcript provides an introduction to the concept of social class in America. It explores different definitions of social class and presents an overview of the five social classes in American society. Distinctions within each class are discussed, highlighting income levels, education, job types, and wealth sources.

New Section

This section discusses the different social classes in the United States and provides insights into poverty in the country.

Social Classes in the United States

• The bottom quintile of Americans, about 20% of the population, falls into a lower class characterized by not owning homes and living in neighborhoods with higher poverty rates, lower quality school districts, and higher crime rates.

• Upper-middle class families have children who are more likely to go to college compared to those in the lower class. Only 9% of children born into the bottom income quartile complete a four-year college degree.

• The federal poverty level is an income benchmark used to determine eligibility for public assistance programs. As of 2017, a family of four with an annual income below $24,600 is considered living below the poverty line. 13.5% of Americans live in households below this level.

Poverty in the United States

• The US federal poverty line is a measure of relative poverty based on a standard of living within the country. Relative poverty refers to a lack of resources compared to others who have more, while absolute poverty threatens one's ability to survive due to insufficient resources.

• Vulnerability to poverty extends beyond groups that cannot work, such as children or disabled individuals. Many working-age adults also experience poverty, with 12% working full-time and still being classified as poor, and another 29% working part-time while facing similar circumstances.

• Low-wage incomes contribute significantly to persistent poverty levels, making it challenging for individuals or families to escape this situation even when working full-time hours at minimum wage ($7.25 per hour). This contributes to over half of families in poverty being headed by single mothers.

• Poverty rates can also be examined by gender and race. While the feminization of poverty highlights the higher rates of poverty among women, it is important to note that most poor Americans are white, with two-thirds of the poor population being white. However, Black Americans are more likely to experience poverty compared to their white counterparts.

Causes of Poverty

• The causes of poverty are complex and multifaceted. Some argue that poverty is a result of individual failings or cultural attitudes, emphasizing self-reliance as a core value in American society.

• Sociologist William Julius Wilson provides a counter perspective, highlighting institutional barriers faced by Black Americans in achieving economic success and living in areas with limited job opportunities. He emphasizes the importance of considering wider economic and social structures, as well as the history and culture of racism in the United States when understanding poverty.

Conclusion

• Understanding social class structures and poverty in the United States is crucial for examining trends and addressing economic vulnerability among different groups. The five social classes in the country include the upper class, upper middle class, average middle class, working class, and lower class.