Module 5: Physical Activity and Income/Social Class Notes

Module 5: Physical Activity and Income/Social Class

Part 1: Understanding Income and Social Class

Objectives

• Explain differences between income and social class.
• Understand social mobility.
• Discuss physical activity disparities by income and social class in Canada.
• Identify barriers to physical activity among low-income/social class populations.
• Provide strategies for equitable opportunities for physical activity.

Definitions

• Income: The amount of money received through paid labor and/or investments.
• Social Class: A grouping based on social factors such as income, wealth, education, and occupation.
  • Key Point: Income does not equal social class. Social class implies a shared standard of living and affects power, prestige, and life chances.

Social Class in Canada

• Types of Social Class: Upper, Middle, Lower.
• Health Disparities: Positive correlation exists between social class and health (higher class, better health).

Upper Class

• Characteristics:
  • Wealthiest and most influential; corporate leaders.
  • Control over economic positions and societal influences (e.g., media, political contributions).
  • Subdivisions: Old Money (inherited wealth) and New Money (wealth earned).

Middle Class

• Characteristics:
  • Generally hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
  • Jobs: White-collar (non-manual labor) and certain skilled blue-collar occupations.
  • Upper Middle Class: Bachelors/postgraduate degrees, comfortable income.
  • Lower Middle Class: Bachelors/associates degrees, jobs with supervision from upper middle class.

Lower Class

• Characteristics:
  • Less education, lower income than middle class.
  • Working Class: Blue-collar jobs, physically demanding.
  • Working Poor: Low-wage jobs with no benefits.
  • Underclass: Unemployed, rely on government assistance.

Social Mobility

• Definition: The ability to change social class positions.
• Types of Mobility:
  • Intergenerational: Changes between family generations.
  • Intragenerational: Changes within the same generation.
  • Structural: Societal changes affecting whole groups.

Impacts of Social Class on Physical Activity

• Individuals in different social classes exhibit varying physical activity participation rates and types of activities engaged in.

Part 2: Physical Activity Disparities

Participation by Social Class

Upper Class

• Characteristics of Physical Activities:
  1. Social Exclusivity: Limited participation opportunities (e.g., private clubs).
  2. Conspicuous Consumption: Use of activities to showcase wealth (e.g., hiring personal trainers).
  3. Control Over Time: Flexibility in work allows for leisure activities.
  4. Leisure Focus: Engaging in expensive or aesthetic activities (e.g., gymnastics).

Middle Class

• Characteristics:
  1. Participation in team sports (more accessible).
  2. Structured leisure around work schedules.
  3. Engagement in home-based physical activity (e.g., home gym equipment).

Lower Class

• Characteristics:
  1. Job-related physical activity.
  2. Prole sports (boxing, wrestling) associated with manual labor.
  3. Participation in low-cost, accessible informal team sports.
  4. Increased consumption of pseudosports (e.g., WWE).

Barriers to Physical Activity

• Common Barriers:

  • Financial constraints: Costs for programs, equipment, and transportation.
  • Time constraints due to work schedules (long hours).
  • Unsafe neighborhood conditions (low walkability, crime).
  • Lack of access to facilities and programs (especially in low-income areas).

• Social Capital: Benefits derived from social relationships. Low social capital is linked to lower physical activity levels and increased crime.

Part 3: Strategies for Equitable Opportunities in Physical Activity

Need for Targeted Strategies

• Strategies should focus on creating equitable opportunities for lower-income classes.
• Suggestions:
  • Waiving fees for youth sports in exchange for volunteer work.
  • Subsidizing recreational facility fees.
  • Community equipment-swapping programs.
  • Improving local parks and recreation facilities.
  • Increasing school-based physical activity opportunities.

Examples of Support Programs

• KidSport: Financial assistance for children in low-income families to participate in sports (grants up to $500).

Conclusion

• Recognize unique barriers faced by low-income populations and prioritize creating equitable opportunities to participate in physical activities. No one-size-fits-all solution exists; a tailored approach is necessary to adequately address the disparities in physical activity participation across different social classes.

An example of intergenerational class shift is when children born to working-class parents achieve higher educational qualifications, such as obtaining a bachelor's or postgraduate degree, and subsequently secure jobs in the upper middle class or upper class. For instance, if a family has a history of blue-collar work, but the next generation pursues higher education and enters a professional field like medicine or engineering, this change in occupation and socio-economic status represents an intergenerational class shift.