Social Class

Definition

• A status hierarchy in which individuals and groups are classified on the basis of esteem and prestige acquired mainly through economic success and accumulation of wealth. Social class may also refer to any particular level in such a hierarchy.

Division

• Upper Class
• Higher Middle Class
• Lower Middle Class
• Working Class
• Low Class

Issues Pertaining Social Class

• Gap between rich and poor is getting larger
• People with 2-3 jobs are not making enough to support their family
• Idea of the "American Dream" deteriorating

Continuation

• Cost of higher education is expensive (loans)
• College doesn't guarantee a job
• Minimum wage is very low (compared to ~$10 in the 1960s)

Social Class at NCSSM

• Students come from different parts of North Carolina
• Leads to many students coming from different social classes

Interview Questions

• How does social class affect different students at NCSSM?
• Do you think social class is a big issue here at NCSSM? Why or why not?
• How have you been stereotyped or have you stereotyped a student at NCSSM because of their social class?
• What can NCSSM do to fix this issue?

Impact on NCSSM

• "People who are worried more about money are unable to do extra things like going to Ninth Street, malls, or eat out."
• "Activities like loops and dances, clothes, and type of electronics"
• "I feel like it separates people into friend groups depending on the materialistic things/money they have."

Is it a big issue?

• "It withholds some students from certain opportunities like Miniterm and college applications."
• "I don't think it's a big issue because no one gets bullied for it and money isn't the biggest factor. I could see how money plays a bigger part in social stigmas at normal high schools but we're all here competing at an intellectual level. So, it's more about what you bring to the table."

Examples

• "I think it's all in how you present yourself because I don't own a lot of super expensive things but the way I wear them in addition to how I carry myself and how I take care of them makes people assume that a lot of what I have is 'expensive.'"
• "People think that I am stuck up or mean because of things I have."

How can we fix this issue?

• "Bring back the tuition grant."
• "I don't think it's something that people can't fix."
• "It's better to get to know a person rather than judging them on a materialistic scale."

Other Universities

• Offering financial assistance
• Need-blind decisions

National Problem

• Raising minimum wage
• Free community college
• Raising taxes for the rich