3.3.4

Social Class Evaluation

Test yourself

Evaluating the Role of Social Class

Is social class still an important source of identity in contemporary society?

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Arguments for it no longer being important

  • Classes have become fragmented into a range of different groups, weakening class subculture as a source of identity.
  • Other influences (e.g. gender and ethnicity) have become more significant.
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Postmodernists

  • According to postmodernists, social class has become an out-dated metanarrative.
  • Consumer culture has replaced class culture as a major influence on identity.
  • Identities have become individualistic and people are free to choose, change and pick ‘n’ mix the identities they want.
Illustrative background for Arguments for it being importantIllustrative background for Arguments for it being important ?? "content

Arguments for it being important

  • Social class remains a common social identity, as evidenced in surveys were people still identify as working or middle class.
  • Social class continues to have a major impact on life chances, in terms of income, educational success, health, employment and poverty.
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Postmodernist oversight

  • Postmodernists fail to recognise the importance of income from work, which limits people’s ability to choose freely any identity and lifestyle they wish.
  • Social class may be less important than it once was, but that doesn’t mean that are able to escape its effects, such as its impact on income and cultural capital.

Jump to other topics

1Theory & Methods

2Education with Methods in Context

3Option 1: Culture & Identity

4Option 1: Families & Households

5Option 1: Health

6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare

7Option 2: Beliefs in Society

8Option 2: Global Development

9Option 2: The Media

10Crime & Deviance

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