What Is Social Class in Sociology?
What is social class in sociology? Social class is a concept that sociologists pay particular attention to. It is a representation of the interplay of wealth and power. According to Max Weber, the social classes are formed by three key factors: power, prestige, and property. Power is the ability to impose one’s will on others. Prestige is the respect for one’s status. People of similar prestige or wealth generally belong to the same status group.
What are the 7 social classes?
Educational achievement is another way to gauge social class. According to sociologists, there is a strong correlation between social class and educational achievement. However, this relationship differs according to social class. In general, pupils of better-off families achieve better than those from working-class families. Many factors in determining social class influence educational achievement, including the environment at home and at school. In addition, receiving free school meals is seen as an indicator of low social class.
Wealth is another important factor that can influence social class. People who are born in low-income households may have opportunities to achieve a higher status through education, work, and social connections. In addition, social class can also be a factor in stratification, meaning that people from lower-income backgrounds may rise to higher social status if they pursue certain goals and acquire certain skills.
Sociologists disagree about the criteria for determining social class. Some use subjective measures, while others favor objective measures.