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Social Class in the 21st Century with Mike Savage

Other | Tuesday 8th December 2015 | Tom

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?

 

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