Nan Wut Mone

Social Classes

1. Do you notice any similarities in the way social class is discussed in readings 4.1 and 4.2? Do you notice any differences in the way these two readings DIFFERENTIATE between social classes?
   In both readings, social class is discussed as a multifaceted concept influenced by income, education, and geography, emphasizing subjective social class (how people perceive themselves). Both highlight the complexity of class identification, beyond just financial measures, including cultural and demographic factors.
   The similarities include a focus on how income and education shape social class perceptions and the fluidity between categories like middle and working class. However, differences lie in the visual representation (NYC subway map) in reading 4.2, which uses geographic income data to distinguish class, while reading 4.1 provides a more statistical and analytical approach to the factors influencing class identification.
2. Pick the station closest to where you live. Using the concepts from Reading 4.1, what social class tends to live in your neighborhood? Are you surprised (or not) by the answer? Do you feel it is an accurate representation of the people living in your neighborhood?
   Using concepts from Reading 4.1, my neighborhood around Kings Highway (N & F) seems to be made up mostly of working-class residents, with some who might identify as upper class. This fits the reading’s emphasis on income and occupation as central to determining social class. I’ve noticed that while most people around here work regular jobs and identify with the working class, there are a few wealthier families. Overall, this mix of classes feels aligned with how income and education shape people’s perception of their social class.
3. Based on Reading 4.2, do you notice a general pattern about social classes in NYC? Based on Reading 4.2, a clear pattern emerges about social classes in NYC: wealthier areas are concentrated near subway stations in central and upscale neighborhoods, while working-class and lower-income communities tend to live in neighborhoods further from the city’s core. This creates a distinct geographic divide, where subway stops become markers of social and economic status. The map highlights how tightly social class is linked to geography, reflecting broader economic disparities across different parts of the city.