Lower middle class explained

In developed nations around the world, the lower middle class is a subdivision of the greater middle class. Universally, the term refers to the group of middle class households or individuals who have not attained the status of the middle or upper middle class associated with the higher realms of the middle class, hence the name.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

United States

See main article: American middle class. In American society, the middle class may be divided into two or three sub-groups. When divided into two parts, the lower middle class, also sometimes simply referred to as "middle class", consists of roughly one third of households, roughly twice as large as the upper middle or managerial class. Common occupation fields are semi-professionals, such as lower-level managers, small business owners and skilled craftsmen. These individuals commonly have some college education or perhaps a Bachelor's degree and earn a comfortable living. Already among the largest social classes, rivaled only by the working class, the American lower middle class is diverse and growing.[9] [10]

Though not common in sociological models, the middle class may be divided into three sections in vernacular language usage. In this system the term lower middle class relates to the demographic referred to as working class in most sociological models. Yet some class models, such as those by sociologist Leonard Beeghley, suggest the middle class to be one cohesive socio-economic demographic, including the demographics otherwise referred to as lower, simply middle or upper middle class in one group comprising about 45% of households.[11]

Social class in the US at a glance

See main article: Social class in the United States.

Usage in popular culture

The lower-middle class is frequently portrayed in television and film. Notable examples include the television shows The Simpsons, Arthur (TV series), All In The Family,[12] Malcolm in the Middle, Married... with Children, 2point4 children, The Middle, South Park, Family Guy, King of the Hill, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Bob's Burgers, Family Matters and Veronica Mars as well as films such as Lady Bird and Soul Food.

See also

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. News: Graphic: How Class Works . The New York Times . 15 May 2005 . 23 November 2011.
  2. News: Brooks . David . The Formerly Middle Class . The New York Times . 17 November 2008 . 23 November 2011.
  3. News: Decca Aitkenhead . Class rules . The Guardian . UK . 23 November 2011 . 19 October 2007.
  4. News: Andy Beckett . Is the British middle class an endangered species? . The Guardian . London . 23 November 2011 . 24 July 2010.
  5. News: Johnson . Reed . Center stage: middle-class African Americans . Los Angeles Times . 31 May 2009 . 23 November 2011.
  6. News: Much of Indian 'Middle Class' Is Almost Poor . Lahiri . Tripti . The Wall Street Journal . 19 August 2010 . 23 November 2011.
  7. News: Middle Class Starts to Drift From Obama . Jonathan . Weisman . The Wall Street Journal . 26 March 2010 . 23 November 2011.
  8. News: In Nigeria, Used Cars Are a Road to Status . Connors . Will . The Wall Street Journal . 18 January 2011 . 23 November 2011.
  9. .
  10. .
  11. Beeghley, L. (2004). The Structure of Social Stratification in the United States. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon, Pearson.
  12. Web site: November 4, 2022. August 1975. Bowling Green State University. Criticism And Television Comedy Drama: An Analysis of All In The Family.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Lower middle class".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.