Define social class

SOCIAL CLASS

A group of people within a society that possess the same economic

status, often determined by occupation, education, income,

manners, etc.

The British Social Class System

The British society has often been considered to be divided into three main groups of classes:

the Upper Class

Often people with inherited wealth. Includes some of the oldest families, with many of them being titled aristocrats.

the Middle Class

The majority of the population of Britain. They include industrialists, professionals, business people and shop owners.

Lower or Working Class

People who are agricultural, mine and factory workers.

Social mobility

• Definition: Social mobility is the ability of individuals or groups to move upward or downward in status, based on wealth, occupation, education, or some other socialcriteria.

Social mobility in the UK

• Britain has the lowest social mobility in the developed world.

• Earnings in UK reflect the parents’.

• Social mobility hasn't changed since the 1970s

Parents make the difference

• in UK the influence of parents is as important as the quality of education

• A strong link between lack of social mobility and inequality

• For the poorest fifth in society, 46% have mothers with no qualifications at all.

• For the richest, only 3% have mothers with no qualifications.

And Education

• Education is an engine of social mobility.

• But achievement is not balanced fairly

• intergenerational transmission of income occurs through education