Define "The Middle Class" (spinoff of Entanglement's thread)

[Odin2005]

I have never found a good definition for "middle class" in the modern sense of the term. In my opinion, the term "middle class" should only apply to what we call the "upper middle class." and the average person should be labeled "working class." The current usage seems to be a result of working class people wanting to think of themselves as "middle class" because of our "keep-up with the Joneses" society.

[Sammy Pepys]

1. My own definition

None of these are all hard-fast rules, but I think the middle class shares most of these characteristics on a general level.

1) Owns the dwelling they live in (house, condo).
2) Has modest-to-high degree of occupational upward mobility or will own a smaller, more localized business.
3) Some advanced education beyond high school.
4) Enjoys a limited amount of financial freedom.
5) Enjoys an adequate amount of leisure time.
6) Can comfortably afford some luxury items.
7) Is most likely married or has been.

Obviously, these can apply to all class levels.

[LSparkle]

2. Confirms my suspicion that I am NOT middle class ... anymore

I grew up in a middle class home but now I'm just working class. First generation of my family to do worse than my parents ... sign of the times.

:(

[Sammy Pepys]

4. Well, that's definitely not an authoritative list.

But the main determining factors in my book.

[LSparkle]

7. It's frustrating because I'm middle class in terms of education

and "sophistication" (if you can call it that) but my pay has not kept pace with inflation to the point where I can afford a home. I imagine there are a lot of people like me who've been sold "The American Dream" (and believed it was possible at one time) but who are now realizing they won't necessarily attain it.

[spinbaby]

3. Class in America is a very complicated thing

Class is more than money--it's attitude, it's who you know, it's how you speak, it's where you went to school, it's whether you prefer an new minivan to an old Volvo. An upper-class person can be broke (although usually temporarily and no amount of money can buy you class--witness Pennsylvania's own Joe Hardy who's perpetually spending vast piles of money on monuments to his own bad taste.

[Sammy Pepys]

5. Yup, that's why there's no income figure in my list....

It's definitely more than what you make...it's the way you establish yourself and/or your family, the nature of your employment outside of wages, the nature in which you handle those wages, and the kind of track you've taken educationally.

[AX10]

10. I will second your explanation!

"Class is more than money--it's attitude, it's who you know, it's how you speak, it's where you went to school, it's whether you prefer an new minivan to an old Volvo. An upper-class person can be broke (although usually temporarily and no amount of money can buy you class--witness Pennsylvania's own Joe Hardy who's perpetually spending vast piles of money on monuments to his own bad taste."

[Finder]

6. The working class is middle class.

The difference between the middle class and the upper class is having to work. Income cannot necessarily be used since the cost of living is different across the country. Someone barely making ends meet in NYC would be considered rich in some rural areas. I think the definition of poor is what is needed. There are those in poverty because of circumstances-elderly, single mothers trapped in the system, disabled, disenfranchised, etc and then there is the working poor--think "Nickel and Dimed"

There is also a group of the middle class that has put themselves into poverty with credit cards or some irresponsible need to keep up with the Joneses.

The middle class is made up of regular people who go to work everyday--sometimes more than one job, own or save up for their own home or money for college for the children. Some work in unions, others own their own businesses and some work for public or private corporations. Most lawyers, doctors, accountants are middle class.

[LSparkle]

8. Dems need to be using the term "WORKING CLASS"

because that's what we value: WORK. We ought to quit talking about the "middle class" so much and stress "working class" so we can remind Repug voters who also work that their party increasingly rewards WEALTH over WORK. John Edwards talked about this in '04 and I think it's a difference Dems ought to stress -- and I dare those on the right to call it "class warfare" when the majority of Americans WORK for a living (as opposed to sitting by the pool waiting for dividends).

[Sammy Pepys]

9. I think you alienate the middle class that way, though....

Look, I'm not rich, but I can't say I'm working class with a straight face, and tyhere's going to be sizable contingent out there that doesn't identify with the working class, even though they might technically be a member as such.

[LSparkle]

12. The only reason people may not identify with "working class"

is because the right has done a good job of "demonizing" work in the same way they've made "union" a dirty word. Work is HONORABLE -- no one should be "ashamed" of saying they're "working class." Even if you're a doctor or a lawyer, you still WORK for a living, and can be accurately described as "working class."

[Sammy Pepys]

13. Yeah, but do you think people...

...who are legitimately members of what has traditionally been considered the working class going to go along with that? I don't think so. You even drew the line yourself by saying you were not middle class a few posts up....do you think your definition of "working class" is going to be widely embraced?

Think of the leverage that would give republicans if it were to take hold.

[Nikia]

11. I think that there are differences, but might vary by other factors too

There are those who value "hard work" and those who value not doing "hard work". Some of those who value hard work think less of people who do things that are not considered hard work, like office work or sales or even most professional jobs. Those who value not doing "hard work" will often take jobs working at a clothing shop or coffee shop if they cannot find a professional job out of college or during breaks even if they are broke and a job perceived as "hard work" was available and paid twice as much, even if it wasn't really that physically demanding.
There are those who do not value education except as a means to making more money. They will do some level of an economic analysis before embarking on post secondary education and not attend if they are not expected to make enough money on their investment. They will ridicule anyone who attends college who does not make that much more money. There are those who assume that they will go to college and greatly increasing one's earning power is less important, as long as it helps them get a job that is not "hard work".
I would also say that the working class values solidarity more than competition in the workplace. I would say that most working class people don't want to stand out amongst their coworkers. I would say that most middle class workers do want to stand out.
These are just my observations, having the experience of being raised and living interclass. I don't mean to insult anyone.

[lastliberalintexas]

14. Anyone who must work for a living

but can usually pay all or most of their monthly bills is somewhere along the spectrum which most consider middle class. The thing is, that it's a pretty broad spectrum.

Anyone who does not have to work for a living is wealthy, and those who regularly cannot pay their bills are poor. And by bills, I mean groceries, utilities, and the like. I am not including the credit card debt into which many have voluntarily sunk to keep up with their neighbors or medical bills which could devastate all but the wealthy.