Dennis Gilbert and Joseph Kahl’s model of social class
You will be examining the social class system in the U.S. and how all aspects of our lives are impacted by our social class position. Using Dennis Gilbert and Joseph Kahl’s model of social class, identify your family’s social class position on the social class ladder while explaining what general factors you are using to place your family in that position, as well as noting any examples of status inconsistency. Please remember that the income levels that Gilbert and Kahl’s use are not accurate for California. To have a more accurate idea of the income levels of each social class group in the Bay Area we would have to just about double the numbers provided in the textbook.
Predict (or imagine) the social class to which you see yourself belonging twenty years from now, while noting whether it is the same as or different than your family’s current social class position.
Consider several different advantages and/or disadvantages your family’s current social class position provides or poses in helping to determine the social class to which you see yourself belonging twenty years from now. Choose three of the advantages and/or disadvantages to explain in more detail for the discussion board. (You do not have to tell us all the advantages/disadvantages, only three.)
Sample Paper
Applying Joseph Kahl and Dennis Gilbert Model in Social Class System Analysis
Referred to as a set of concepts centered on the theory of social stratification that groups people into various hierarchical groups, social classes are evident in almost every society. Joseph Kahl and Dennis Gilbert in their model illustrates the various social classes evident in society. According to the scholars, there are six social classes in any societal setting, including the capitalist, upper-middle-class, lower middle class, working-class, the working poor and the underclass.
Sample Solution
The social classes are distinguished by various factors such as education, level of income, occupation, market abilities, access to consumer goods and membership in various political parties and social status groups, amongst other factors. To this end, individuals belonging to each of the social classes will have different levels of income, education, and access to consumer goods.
In their description of each of the social classes, Joseph Kahl and Dennis Gilbert reported that the working poor consists of individuals with unstable and inconsistent housing, little access to basic education, underemployed, or receive minimal wages, lack basis living expenses, chronic lack of health care and other basic needs, and are mostly treated as disposable. The working class consists of individuals who live in rental housing and sometimes face challenges in paying their rent. These persons have had access to higher education, however, they owe the government some loan that they received in the form of the student loans. While these persons can meet most of their needs, they have little or no extra capital for savings. The working class are mostly targeted by the government as a source of revenue and are mostly treated as irreplaceable.
The middle class consists of individuals who are homeowners and have stable housing. These individuals depend on wages and salaries to pay their bills and meet their needs. Social status and connection are mostly used by this group to assist them to accomplish their life goals. Approximately 20% of the USA population belongs to the working class and contributes to more than 8% of the revenue.
Based on the level of education and the income of my parents, I believe we belong to the working class. As much as we are able to meet our basic needs there is minimal capital left for saving. We still leave in rental houses and continually struggle to make ends meet
