Socio-Economic Class
I’m watching Oprah right now (which fyi, I don’t usually do) and they’re discussing the topic of class in America now that we’re in the middle of this recession. This is a touchy topic even in the best of times. I remember reading about how the New York Times printed a story about it several years ago and there was a huge uproar from people who believe that this country doesn’t have a class-based society. I guess it’s easier to bring the topic up now because so many people are effected all over the country so it’s much harder to ignore. I find the opinion of Professor Robert Reich from UC Berkeley very valuable. Note to self: must check out his book “Supercapitalism”. I think that there are two ways to view class and the best way is to combine both perspectives. One is subjective and the other is more based on actual numbers. For example, one household may make over $100k a year and most people would think that would automatically make this household at least upper-middle class. However, this household may experience something very different from common assumptions. After taxes, fixed costs (necessities), and perhaps living in an area that already has high cost of living, that household may barely scrape by every month on bills. Another important example is education. A college graduate may make about as much as people in the lower classes and may even live like they’re in poverty, but most people would consider them in the middle class.
