In developed nations around the world, the lower middle class is a subdivision of the greater middle class. Universally, the term refers to the group of middle class households or individuals who have not attained the status of the middle or upper middle class associated with the higher realms of the middle class, hence the name.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
In American society, the middle class may be divided into two or three sub-groups. When divided into two parts, the lower middle class, also sometimes simply referred to as "middle class", consists of roughly one third of households, roughly twice as large as the upper middle or managerial class. Common occupation fields are semi-professionals, such as lower-level managers, small business owners and skilled craftsmen. These individuals commonly have some college education or perhaps a Bachelor's degree and earn a comfortable living. Already among the largest social classes, rivaled only by the working class, the American lower middle class is diverse and growing.[9][10]
Though not common in sociological models, the middle class may be divided into three sections in vernacular language usage. In this system the term lower middle class relates to the demographic referred to as working class in most sociological models. Yet some class models, such as those by sociologist Leonard Beeghley, suggest the middle class to be one cohesive socio-economic demographic, including the demographics otherwise referred to as lower, simply middle or upper middle class in one group comprising about 45% of households.[11]
Top-level executives, high-rung politicians, heirs. Ivy League education common.
Upper class (1%)
Top-level executives, celebrities, heirs; income of $500,000+ common. Ivy league education common.
The super-rich (0.9%)
Multi-millionaires whose incomes commonly exceed $3.5 million or more; includes celebrities and powerful executives/politicians. Ivy League education common.
Highly-educated (often with graduate degrees) professionals & managers with household incomes varying from the high 5-figure range to commonly above $100,000.
The rich (5%)
Households with net worth of $1 million or more; largely in the form of home equity. Generally have college degrees.
Middle class (plurality/ majority?; ca. 46%)
College-educated workers with considerably higher-than-average incomes and compensation; a man making $57,000 and a woman making $40,000 may be typical.
Lower middle class (30%)
Semi-professionals and craftsmen with a roughly average standard of living. Most have some college education and are white-collar.
Lower middle class (32%)
Semi-professionals and craftsmen with some work autonomy; household incomes commonly range from $35,000 to $75,000. Typically, some college education.
Working class (30%)
Clerical and most blue-collar workers whose work is highly routinized. Standard of living varies depending on number of income earners, but is commonly just adequate. High school education.
Working class (32%)
Clerical, pink- and blue-collar workers with often low job security; common household incomes range from $16,000 to $30,000. High school education.
Working class (ca. 40–45%)
Blue-collar workers and those whose jobs are highly routinized with low economic security; a man making $40,000 and a woman making $26,000 may be typical. High school education.
Working poor (13%)
Service, low-rung clerical and some blue-collar workers. High economic insecurity and risk of poverty. Some high school education.
Lower class (ca. 14–20%)
Those who occupy poorly-paid positions or rely on government transfers. Some high school education.
Underclass (12%)
Those with limited or no participation in the labor force. Reliant on government transfers. Some high school education.
The poor (ca. 12%)
Those living below the poverty line with limited to no participation in the labor force; a household income of $18,000 may be typical. Some high school education.
References: Gilbert, D. (2002) The American Class Structure: In An Age of Growing Inequality. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, ISBN0534541100. (see also Gilbert Model);
Thompson, W. & Hickey, J. (2005). Society in Focus. Boston, MA: Pearson, Allyn & Bacon; Beeghley, L. (2004). The Structure of Social Stratification in the United States. Boston, MA: Pearson, Allyn & Bacon.
1 The upper middle class may also be referred to as "Professional class" Ehrenreich, B. (1989). The Inner Life of the Middle Class. NY, NY: Harper-Collins.
^Beeghley, L. (2004). The Structure of Social Stratification in the United States. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon, Pearson.
^"Criticism And Television Comedy Drama: An Analysis of All In The Family". Bowling Green State University. August 1975. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
Bibliographyedit
Bailey, Peter (1999). "White Collars, Gray Lives? The Lower Middle Class Revisited". Journal of British Studies. 38 (3): 273–290. doi:10.1086/386195. JSTOR 176057. PMID 21987863.
Felski, Rita (2000). "Nothing to Declare: Identity, Shame, and the Lower Middle Class". PMLA. 115 (1): 34–45. JSTOR 463229.
Gilbert, Dennis L. (2008). The American Class Structure in an Age of Growing Inequality (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press. ISBN978-1-412-95414-3.
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The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject You may improve this article discuss the issue on the talk page or create a new article as appropriate February 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message In developed nations around the world the lower middle class is a subdivision of the greater middle class Universally the term refers to the group of middle class households or individuals who have not attained the status of the middle or upper middle class associated with the higher realms of the middle class hence the name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Contents 1 United States 1 1 Social class in the US at a glance 1 2 Usage in popular culture 2 See also 3 References 3 1 Notes 3 2 BibliographyUnited States editMain article American middle class In American society the middle class may be divided into two or three sub groups When divided into two parts the lower middle class also sometimes simply referred to as middle class consists of roughly one third of households roughly twice as large as the upper middle or managerial class Common occupation fields are semi professionals such as lower level managers small business owners and skilled craftsmen These individuals commonly have some college education or perhaps a Bachelor s degree and earn a comfortable living Already among the largest social classes rivaled only by the working class the American lower middle class is diverse and growing 9 10 Though not common in sociological models the middle class may be divided into three sections in vernacular language usage In this system the term lower middle class relates to the demographic referred to as working class in most sociological models Yet some class models such as those by sociologist Leonard Beeghley suggest the middle class to be one cohesive socio economic demographic including the demographics otherwise referred to as lower simply middle or upper middle class in one group comprising about 45 of households 11 Social class in the US at a glance edit Main article Social class in the United States Academic class models Dennis Gilbert 2002 William Thompson amp Joseph Hickey 2005 Leonard Beeghley 2004Class Typical characteristics Class Typical characteristics Class Typical characteristicsCapitalist class 1 Top level executives high rung politicians heirs Ivy League education common Upper class 1 Top level executives celebrities heirs income of 500 000 common Ivy league education common The super rich 0 9 Multi millionaires whose incomes commonly exceed 3 5 million or more includes celebrities and powerful executives politicians Ivy League education common Upper middle class 1 15 Highly educated often with graduate degrees most commonly salaried professionals and middle management with large work autonomy Upper middle class 1 15 Highly educated often with graduate degrees professionals amp managers with household incomes varying from the high 5 figure range to commonly above 100 000 The rich 5 Households with net worth of 1 million or more largely in the form of home equity Generally have college degrees Middle class plurality majority ca 46 College educated workers with considerably higher than average incomes and compensation a man making 57 000 and a woman making 40 000 may be typical Lower middle class 30 Semi professionals and craftsmen with a roughly average standard of living Most have some college education and are white collar Lower middle class 32 Semi professionals and craftsmen with some work autonomy household incomes commonly range from 35 000 to 75 000 Typically some college education Working class 30 Clerical and most blue collar workers whose work is highly routinized Standard of living varies depending on number of income earners but is commonly just adequate High school education Working class 32 Clerical pink and blue collar workers with often low job security common household incomes range from 16 000 to 30 000 High school education Working class ca 40 45 Blue collar workers and those whose jobs are highly routinized with low economic security a man making 40 000 and a woman making 26 000 may be typical High school education Working poor 13 Service low rung clerical and some blue collar workers High economic insecurity and risk of poverty Some high school education Lower class ca 14 20 Those who occupy poorly paid positions or rely on government transfers Some high school education Underclass 12 Those with limited or no participation in the labor force Reliant on government transfers Some high school education The poor ca 12 Those living below the poverty line with limited to no participation in the labor force a household income of 18 000 may be typical Some high school education References Gilbert D 2002 The American Class Structure In An Age of Growing Inequality Belmont CA Wadsworth ISBN 0534541100 see also Gilbert Model Thompson W amp Hickey J 2005 Society in Focus Boston MA Pearson Allyn amp Bacon Beeghley L 2004 The Structure of Social Stratification in the United States Boston MA Pearson Allyn amp Bacon 1 The upper middle class may also be referred to as Professional class Ehrenreich B 1989 The Inner Life of the Middle Class NY NY Harper Collins Usage in popular culture edit This section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed May 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message The lower middle class is frequently portrayed in television and film Notable examples include the television shows The Simpsons All In The Family 12 Malcolm in the Middle Married with Children 2point4 children The Middle Family Guy Family Matters and Veronica Mars as well as films such as Lady Bird and Soul Food See also editMiddle class Underclass Upper class Upper middle class Working classReferences editNotes edit Graphic How Class Works The New York Times 15 May 2005 Retrieved 23 November 2011 Brooks David 17 November 2008 The Formerly Middle Class The New York Times Retrieved 23 November 2011 Decca Aitkenhead 19 October 2007 Class rules The Guardian UK Retrieved 23 November 2011 Andy Beckett 24 July 2010 Is the British middle class an endangered species The Guardian London Retrieved 23 November 2011 Johnson Reed 31 May 2009 Center stage middle class African Americans Los Angeles Times Retrieved 23 November 2011 Lahiri Tripti 19 August 2010 Much of Indian Middle Class Is Almost Poor The Wall Street Journal Retrieved 23 November 2011 Weisman Jonathan 26 March 2010 Middle Class Starts to Drift From Obama The Wall Street Journal Retrieved 23 November 2011 Connors Will 18 January 2011 In Nigeria Used Cars Are a Road to Status The Wall Street Journal Retrieved 23 November 2011 Gilbert 2008 Thompson amp Hickey 2004 Beeghley L 2004 The Structure of Social Stratification in the United States Boston MA Allyn amp Bacon Pearson Criticism And Television Comedy Drama An Analysis of All In The Family Bowling Green State University August 1975 Retrieved 4 November 2022 Bibliography edit Bailey Peter 1999 White Collars Gray Lives The Lower Middle Class Revisited Journal of British Studies 38 3 273 290 doi 10 1086 386195 JSTOR 176057 PMID 21987863 Felski Rita 2000 Nothing to Declare Identity Shame and the Lower Middle Class PMLA 115 1 34 45 JSTOR 463229 Gilbert Dennis L 2008 The American Class Structure in an Age of Growing Inequality 7th ed Thousand Oaks CA Pine Forge Press ISBN 978 1 412 95414 3 Marx Karl Engels Friedrich 1969 1848 Manifesto of the Communist Party Marx Engels Selected Works Volume I pp 98 137 Moscow Progress Publishers Mayer Arno J 1975 The Lower Middle Class as Historical Problem The Journal of Modern History 47 3 409 436 doi 10 1086 241338 JSTOR 1876000 S2CID 145466695 Thompson William E Hickey Joseph V 2004 Society in Focus 5th ed London Pearson ISBN 978 0 205 41365 2 Wiener Jonathan M 1976 Marxism and the Lower Middle Class A Response to Arno Mayer The Journal of Modern History 48 4 666 671 doi 10 1086 241489 JSTOR 1880197 S2CID 144119346 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lower middle class amp oldid 1185184525, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
