Social Class Evaluation
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 3.3.4
Evaluating the Role of Social Class
Is social class still an important source of identity in contemporary society?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Social Class Evaluation
What do postmodernists suggest has replaced class culture as a major influence on identity?