Class and life chances

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Social Class

People in society who have a similar social and economic status (they earn similar amounts of money).

Social Stratification

Dividing people up by their class into 5 main social classes (Elite, Upper Class, Middle Class, Working Class, and Underclass).

Elite Class

A class where wealth is mostly inherited and money is earned from property rather than working.

Upper Class

People who own or run large corporations/businesses, earn very high incomes, and often own lots of property.

Middle Class

Highly skilled professionals (e.g., doctors, accountants) who earn higher than average incomes.

Working Class

Lower skilled and lower paid jobs (e.g., shop workers, lorry drivers).

Underclass

Long-term unemployed people living in poor areas of high unemployment.

Professional Job Probability

People born into middle & upper class families are 80% more likely to work in a professional job than children born into a working class family.

Poorest Families Mental Health

Children from the poorest families are over 4 times as likely to experience mental health problems than children from the wealthiest backgrounds.

Private School Advantage

Children from upper class and elite backgrounds are much more likely to attend a private school, getting better exam results and networking for better adult jobs.

Increasing Social Mobility

Achieved through degree education, getting a professional job, starting a successful business, or marrying into a higher social class.