Views on the influence of class on identity

AKA postmodernists forgetting about the existence of the economy for a hot minute

What do Clarke and Saunders (1991) say?

They say that the influence of class on identity has declined as the classes have become fragmented and now other factors such as ethnicity hold more importance

What do Pakulski and Waters (1996) say?

They argue that class has been completely replaced by the influence of lifestyle and consumption patterns

What do Lash and Urry (1987) say?

They argue that the influence of class on identity has weakened as society has become more individualistic which has reduced the influence of class-based subcultures.

What do postmodernists overall say?

They say that class’ influence on identity has been reduced in an age of far more fluidity via “pick n mix” and consumerism.

What does the British social attitudes survey (2007) say?

They cite the fact that 95% of Britons tie their identity to their social class to argue that social class still has a major influence on our identity.

What do Scraton and Bramham (1995) say?

They argue that only the middle and upper classes can access the postmodernist idea of pick n mix as consumer habits are influenced by income and occupation as an extension of that.

What does Parker, S (1976) say and how does McIntosh evaluate his argument?

Class still influences identity as occupation and leisure patterns are directly correlated. He states that traditional w/c jobs oppose work and prioritise leisure, clerical workers remain neutral and professional workers often tie leisure into their work and vice versa.

Marxist feminist McIntosh argues that his view is too simplistic as it solely focuses on the male perspective, ignoring ideas such as the double burden (housework + full time job) and triple shift (double burden + emotional labour).

What do Marxists overall say?

Class is obviously still relevant to identity as the class conflict between the bourgeoise and proletariat is what defines society.

What do Carter and Coleman (2006) say?

They cite that fact that w/c girls are more likely to become teenage mothers to define themselves outside of poverty to prove that class is still relevant to identity.

What does Marshall say?

he says that the loss of traditional industries has caused the “new” w/c identity to become fragmented and so its influence has declined.

What do Giddens and Diamond (2005) say?

They say that the influence of class on identity has declined as gender, ethnicity, age and disability are now the biggest causes of inequality in society thanks to the decline of traditional industries.

What do functionalists overall say?

They say that class is still relevant as society as a meritocracy needs a class system in order to perform division of labour to keep things running smoothly.

What evidence does the gig economy provide for the current influence of class on identity?

as 15% of the workforce are self-employed, the correlation between occupation and class has weakened so class’ influence on our identities has weakened.