Examples of inequality related to social class

Defining Social Class

  • Social class is a form of social stratification where individuals are grouped into a set of hierarchical social categories through characteristics such as occupation, wealth and education.

Inequalities in Education

  • Those from higher social classes often have greater access to quality education due to ability to afford private schooling or houses in catchment areas of prestigious state schools.

  • There exists a persistent achievement gap between the working class and the middle and upper classes, where the latter groups tend to achieve higher grades and progress to further education more frequently.

Inequalities in Health

  • The health gradient refers to the pattern where those in lower social classes have poorer health outcomes and shorter lifespans, due to factors such as differential access to healthcare, occupational hazards and lifestyle choices.

  • The Black Report in the UK affirmed that the lower the social class, the higher the risk of illness and premature death.

Inequalities in Housing

  • Those from higher social classes can afford quality housing in safer neighbourhoods, whereas lower social classes may reside in areas of poor housing with higher crime rates.

  • The gentrification of urban areas often displaces low-income residents, creating spatial inequalities related to social class.

Inequalities in Employment

  • Higher social classes are more likely to secure well-paid, professional occupations, often through social connections and superior education. They enjoy greater job security and career progression.

  • Lower social classes are more likely to engage in precarious work, which is often lower paid, part-time, temporary, or without job security and benefits.

Social Mobility

  • The extent of social mobility varies greatly. In more rigid class systems, one’s social class from birth heavily dictates their life chances, whereas other societies may allow more upward mobility.

  • Lower social classes face significant barriers to mobility, such as limited access to quality education and the phenomenon of ‘social capital’, where networks and connections can influence success.

  • The glass ceiling effect often prevents the upward mobility of certain social groups, undermining the notion of a meritocratic society.

Cultural and Lifestyle Disparities

  • The cultural capital theory of Pierre Bourdieu suggests that higher social classes possess cultural knowledge and skills that are rewarded by society, creating an institutional bias that advantages them.

  • Lifestyle differences can emerge due to economic disparities, influencing consumption patterns, leisure activities and even life perspectives.

Poverty and Social Class

  • Lower social classes are more likely to experience relative and absolute poverty. Their income might not meet societal standards or even basic needs, enhancing social exclusion.

  • The poverty cycle can perpetuate intergenerational class inequalities, as children born into poverty are more likely to remain poor due to limited opportunities for upward mobility.