Socioeconomic Class - Definition and Analysis

**Socioeconomic Class** **Definition**\ Socioeconomic class refers to the position people hold in society based on the type of work they do and their economic situation. In urban, industrial societies like the UK, social stratification (the division of society into layers) is primarily based on eco...

**Socioeconomic Class** **Definition**\ Socioeconomic class refers to the position people hold in society based on the type of work they do and their economic situation. In urban, industrial societies like the UK, social stratification (the division of society into layers) is primarily based on economic inequality, which includes differences in income, wealth, and power. **Class System in the UK** The UK's class system is often divided into five main groups: 1. **Lower Class** - Includes people who are long-term unemployed or homeless. 2. **Working Class** - Involves low-skilled or semi-skilled workers, such as factory workers or labourers. - This group often faces stereotypes, such as being perceived as "chavs," which can lead to unfair assumptions. 3. **Middle Class** - The largest group in the UK, including white-collar professionals like teachers, journalists, and nurses. - Members of this class tend to have moderate economic security and better health compared to manual workers. 4. **Upper Class** - Includes people with high incomes, such as barristers and chief executives. 5. **Aristocrats** - Includes the royal family and those with inherited wealth or titles, such as lords and barons. **Class Divisions** 1. **The Top (Aristocrats and Upper Class)** - Represent about 10% of the population. - Control a significant share of the nation's wealth and hold influential positions in society, such as senior politicians or directors of major companies. - In 2016, the richest 10% of UK households had incomes 24 times greater than the poorest 10%. 2. **The Middle Class** - Accounts for over 50% of the population. - This group is diverse, ranging from professionals with higher education and economic security (upper-middle class) to office workers and shop assistants (lower-middle class). 3. **The Bottom (Working Class and Lower Class)** - The size of the working class has decreased over the past 50 years due to changes in the economy. - Includes manual workers, as well as low-skilled service workers in jobs like fast food or call centres. - Workers in this group often lack union representation, limiting their ability to improve pay and working conditions. **ONS Classification of Socioeconomic Class** The **Office for National Statistics (ONS)** uses occupational categories to measure socioeconomic status: 1. **Higher Managerial, Administrative, and Professional Occupations** - Example: Chief executive or judge. 2. **Lower Managerial, Administrative, and Professional Occupations** - Example: Teacher or social worker. 3. **Intermediate Occupations** - Example: Clerical worker or nursery nurse. 4. **Small Employers and Own-Account Workers** - Example: Shop owner or publican. 5. **Lower Supervisory and Technical Occupations** - Example: Plumber or mechanic. 6. **Semi-Routine Occupations** - Example: Postal worker or security guard. 7. **Routine Occupations** - Example: Waitress or bar staff. 8. **Never Worked or Long-Term Unemployed** This system shows the range of work people do but also highlights the complexity and challenges of categorising occupations.