My Familys Social Class and Mine

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The concept of social class does not have a clear definition due to a large amount of factors that may change it. However, sociologists like Weber have implied that it is generally determined by similarity in income, influence and rank. Dennis Gilbert and Joseph Kahl have expanded on this concept by creating a model to depict different classes and what makes them different from one another.

This model mentions seven different classes: the capitalist class, the upper-middle class, the lower-middle class, the working class, the working poor, the underclass and the homeless. According to Kahl and Gilbert, the upper-middle class consists of highly skilled people, the majority of whom have a college or higher education degree. This means that the status of this group is defined by their education (Gilbert & Kahl, 1982). My familys characteristics are closest to this specific stratum of society due to their education and skills. Both of my parents have college education and they are professionals in their respected fields.

While the aforementioned features put my family in this specific category, it is important to denote some problems that may put them in a lower class. This involves inflation, the level of demand for their skills and the financial situation in the country. Financial crises and economic downturns similar to The Great Depression may also negatively affect my familys status by decreasing the demand for their skills.

The reason why it is very unlikely for my family to become a part of the higher class can also be explained by the social class model. The capitalist class accounts for one percent of the population and consists of investors, heirs and businesspeople (Gilbert & Kahl, 1982). My family members are not related to economy and business as a working field, nor do they have wealthy relatives who could have put them in that position.

There is a very high chance that when I am 40, I will be in the same social class as my parents. This can be explained by the following features that I already have and may have in the future: a university undergraduate and postgraduate degree, belonging to a field that heavily relies on skills and education. My skills, as a rule, are less likely to be affected by the financial situation of the country. This sets a very promising future for decades to come.

There are reasons that explain why my family, especially myself, cannot be considered as a part of the lower-middle class. As stated in Gilbert and Kahls model, the lower-middle class consists of craftspeople, foremen and lower managers (Gilbert & Kahl, 1982). Usually, they do not have a higher education, and their financial status is very unstable. It is very unlikely for the people in this social class to have an undergraduate degree.

The advantages of my familys current social class position are related to the rarely changing demand for their skills and their experience. Since they are not owners of a brand or company, they do not have to worry about it filing for bankruptcy. With that being said, as mentioned earlier, downfalls similar to The Great Depression may still affect them as well as the lower classes.

In order to determine my upcoming social class status, I need to consider some valuable factors of the present and make plans for my future. Currently, my skills are in demand and they are heavily based on my education. One of the most crucial positive aspects is that it is improbable for them to lose their value. The importance of the skills is usually stable, regardless of the political, social, or economic situation that may be taking place in the present or future.

Eventually, I will need to get a higher degree in my education, thus increasing the chances for better opportunities. Currently, I am an undergraduate, which makes my future more promising than if I were to go to work instead. However, some workplaces are either very skeptical towards undergraduate students, or they do not accept them at all. Getting a higher degree will guarantee a better life and stability that will be very valuable when I am 40.

However, I should realize that the chances of me becoming a part of the capitalist class when I am of that age are next to zero. I am not an heir to a multi-million dollar company or brand, nor am I an investor. These are the very qualities that define the highest social class position (Gilbert & Kahl, 1982). The fact that this class accounts for approximately one percent of the countrys population accentuates this.

In conclusion, according to Gilbert and Kahls model of seven social classes, my family belongs to the second one (the upper-middle class). With the information gathered from this model and my current factors, it is likely that, when I am 40, I will belong to the same class as my family. While both my familys skills and mine have a tendency to stay relevant regardless of the circumstances, economic downfalls may deteriorate our financial situation. In order for me to secure and increase my chances of being in the upper-middle class, I will need to get a higher degree after the current one.

Reference

Gilbert, D. & Kahl, J. A. (1982) The American class structure: A new synthesis. Dorsey Press.

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My Familys Social Class and Mine

Reference