NEWS
EVENTS
Social Class in the 21st Century with Mike Savage
A recent study has confirmed that the majority of us lucky Brits claim to be part of an ever increasing middle class. 6% of the population claim to have gone to top British universities, earning a very financially sound £90,000 and holding up these groups up is a 48% share of working class people.
This study was carried out by a BBC-led group of sociologists in 2015. Mike Savage decided to continue their research in the form of his 2015 publication 'Social Class in the 21st Century'.
A new set of class classifications were created in the BBC study, and used by London School of Economics professor Mike Savage in the book. One thing it highlights is the increasingly blurred boundaries between what can be perceived as class.
Class was defined by French philosopher Pierre Bourdieu by not only your income, but your culture, tastes and the people who you associate with, and this is a theory that the study uses in its findings.
There are seven percieved social classes, according to Savage:
Precariat
The poorest, most deprived social class. More than 80% rent their home.
Income: £8,000+
Jobs: Cleaners, Cashiers, Unemployed
Talk To: Each Other
Percentage of Population: 15%
Drinking: Stongbow
Watching: Eastenders / Hollyoaks
Listens to: Talksport
Found: Watching Football
From: Thamesmead
Emergent Service Workers
People in this group tend to be young with active social lives. They are however, not financially secure.
Income: £20,000+
Jobs: Chefs, Care Workers, Nursing Assistants
Talk To: Lower Social Groups, Ethnic Minorities
Percentage of Population:: 19%
Drinking: Spoons/Craft Beer
Watching: Fargo
Found: Instagramming their dog
From: Forest Hill
Listens to: NTS
Traditional Working Class
This group has the oldest average age but are likely own their own home.
Income: £13,000+
Jobs: Lorry Drivers, Electricians, Secretaries
Talk To: Other Working Class
Percentage of Population: 14%
Drinking: Stella
Watching: Only Fools and Horses/Football First
Found: In the pub
From: Watford
Listens to: Radio 1
New Affluent Workers
Economically secure workers but not extremely wealthy. People in this class group enjoy a range of pursuits and are in the middle in terms of wealth.
Income: £30,000+
Jobs: Sales, Engineers
Talk To: Lower Social Classes
Percentage of Population: 15%
Drinking: Prosecco
Watching: Dragons Den / Apprentice
Found: Skinny Lattes/ Antioxidant Juices/ Yoga
From: Shoreditch
Listens to: Radio 6
Technical Middle Class
A fairly new class group that mainly mix amongst themselves, they enjoy techy things such as social media and come from financially secure backgrounds.
Income: £37,000+
Jobs: Pilots, Scientists
Talk To: Other Experts
Percentage of Population: 6%
Drinking: Chilean Red
Watching: House of Cards / House
Found: Wine tasting / Kids Parties
From: Hertfordshire / Guildford
Listens to: LBC
Established Middle Class
The second wealthiest group in the country. They take part in a wide range of activities and generally socialise with other wealthy groups.
Income: £50,000+
Jobs: Police, Midwives,
Talk To: Elite, Each Other
Percentage of Population: 25%
Drinking: San Pellegrino. With Ice.
Watching: Panorama / BBC News 24
Found: Ordering a cheese plate
From: Islington
Listens to: Radio 4
Elite
The wealthiest and most prestigious group in the United Kingdom. People in this social class went to private schools and then onto elite universities.
Income: £90,000+
Jobs: CEOs, Bankers, Dentists
Talk To: Each Other
Percentage of Population: 6%
Drinking: The tears of poor people
Watching: Their kids on Made in Chelsea or Zulu on their home cinema
Found: Arguing Piggate was ‘light-hearted banter’, Escaping paying taxes, Enjoying the Tory government
From: Chelsea, Green Park, Surrey
Listens to: Classic FM
It remains to be seen how well people can be fit into each category. Do you see yourself as a part of one of the classes, as defined by Savage?
