Inequality in Social Classes

Chapter 11 deals with social classes in the United States. The dimensions of social inequality are income, wealth, power, occupational prestige, and school. Income is “earnings from work or investments.”  The median income in the U.S. was $60,974 according The Census Bureau in 2011. Wealth is “the total value of money and other assets, minus outstanding debts.” Things that are included in calculating wealth are real estate, stocks, and bonds. In class, we discussed how wealth gave people power. Powers important sources are income and wealth. Occupational prestige allows for income and prestige. In schooling, around 88% of men and women aged 25 and over have completed high school. Income can depend on schooling. In most cases a college degree is needed for a better paying job. I am attending college in hopes of learning skills needed to achieve a better paying job and to work toward a career. I also hope to gain occupational prestige by earning a degree in Dietetics. According to College Data, the average cost of an in-state public university is  $22,826 and private colleges averaged $44,750.

            Another topic that we discussed in class was social classes and the rankings of them. The ranking from highest to lowest is: upper class, middle class, working class, and lower class. Upper class is made up of five percent of the population. Their income starts at about $205,000. 40%-45% of the United States population is middle class. Their income range is $48,500 to $205,000. Most of them have also attended college. Working class is 30%-35% of the population. The income range is $27,000 to $48,500. Approximately one-third of children attend college. Lower class is about 20% of the population. The income level is $27,000 and under. Only about 70% of children finish high school. Some of them live below the poverty level.

            Additionally we discussed poverty. Relative poverty is the lack of resources of some people in relation to those who have more. Absolute poverty is a lack of resources that is life threating. 15% of the population is poor and around 48% of the poor are under 25 years old. African Americans are most likely to become poor. 76% of poor people are white which included Hispanics and non-Hispanics. Feminization of poverty is the trend of women making up an increasing proportion of the poor. Single women head about 52% of poor families. Approximately 1.6 million people are homeless sometime during the year.

            Overall, there are many issues that are impacted by the amount of schooling one receives in the United States. It can impact your income, occupational prestige, power, and social class.

https://www.collegedata.com/cs/content/content_payarticle_tmpl.jhtml?articleId=10064 This website is where more information about the average price of college.

http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/hunger-and-poverty-statistics.aspx This website will provide additional information on poverty in the United States.