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?

I noticed both similarities and differences. On the one hand, a similarity must be highlighted : both readings give a protagonist role to income in order to define social classes. On the other hand, Gallup’s article uses more than one variable to define social class, it uses income, education level and age. Whereas reading 4.2 uses income only. In addition, Gallup’s article claims that these variables have been only used to describe a “perception” or a subjective view of social class. In comparison reading 4.2 uses facts to provide “objective definitions”.

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?

I live nearby the 36 avenue subway station of Astoria. According to the NYC subway graphic and the Gallup’s article the social class that tends to live in my neighborhood is : working class. I’m definitely not surprised by it. Similarly, I do believe is an accurate representation of the people living in my neighborhood. Most of the people that I’ve seen and met around my neighborhood are either elderly who have been living here for many years or young working class adults.

3. Based on Reading 4.2, do you notice a general pattern about social classes in NYC?

Yes, I definitely see a pattern. Looking at the graphics is easy to notice that people with the highest income have a tendency to live in Manhattan. However, around Washington heights and Harlem is noticeable that the medium income gets lower than the average that Queens and Brooklyn have. Furthermore, Brooklyn and Queens have a similar medium income average with some high and low points. Still, it is very interesting that the people with the highest incomes within this borough live one or two subway stops away from Manhattan. Last but not least, It is noticeable how people with the lowest medium income have a tendency to live around the Bronx. In a nutshell, there is a global pattern of where people with a higher and lower income decide to live and is mostly around the borough of Manhattan.

1.The similarity in the way of discussing social class in reading 4.1 and 4.2 is that people define their social class based on their income. I noticed that the distinction between these two interpretations is, in 4.1, various angles are used to distinguish social classes, such as income, education, age, race, and region to explain people’s subjective definition of social class. In 4.2, only the census and household income data of subway station lines are analyzed .

2.According to Reading 4.1, the social class of the nearest station to me is middle class or working class. In 2011, the household income data near the subway station was $39861. I am not surprised by this answer, because most of the neighbors near me need labor to earn a living.

3.According to reading 4.2, every region has the problem of income inequality. For example, in Manhattan, the average income of people is very high, and Manhattan is the economic and cultural center of the United States. Compared with other regions, the average income of people is not as high as that of Manhattan, which proves that the average income of people in a prosperous area is very high.

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?

They are based on percentages, there are parallels in both articles. Both points of view used income to determine social class structure, which is a remarkable parallel. Reading 4.1 explores the wealth disparity in further depth. Other elements that might influence one’s impression of social standing were investigated as well. Income, wealth, occupational percentages, and educational level all contribute to socioeconomic status, which is determined by one’s place in the social hierarchy.

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? 

The stop that is closest to me is Crescent St in brooklyn. Despite the fact that this is a middle-class neighborhood, the income of $43,672 astonished me. People from the same social class, on the other hand, share similar opinions, lifestyles, and habits. I also believe that social mobility occurs when people’s economic circumstances improve or deteriorate in a way that impacts their social class. For a variety of causes, individuals can move up or down the social ladder. An increase or movement in social status is referred to as upward mobility.

3. Based on Reading 4.2, do you notice a general pattern about social classes in NYC?

Based on the reading 4.2 the highest class may be found in Manhattan. It does not exceed me since it is a highly costly city where the majority of educated people work and where the economy may improve.

LiLiu

Professor Arto Artinian

POL100 (0502): Discussion Board 4.1

June 9, 2021

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?

The similarities in the way social class is discussed in readings 4.1 and 4.2 is the decisive factor that people define their own social class is their income. Also, this is one of the factors by which the social class is based on socioeconomic variables.

The difference between the two readings in the way of social classes is, the reading of 4.1 – “What Determines How Americans Perceive Their Social Class?” It is from a more comprehensive perspective such as income, education, age, race, and region, which explains people’s subjective definition of social class. For example, the 4.1 article writes, “income is a powerful determinant of the social class into which people place themselves, as is, to a lesser degree, education. Age makes a difference, even controlling for income and education, as does region, race, whether a person is working, and one’s urban, suburban, or rural residence” (Bird & Newport, par. 5). In contrast, the 4.2 article “Inequality and New York’s Subway” only uses household income data and only analyzes the census in the subway station area. Although income is an important factor in determining social class, the article in 4.1 provides a more comprehensive analysis of the factors that influence people to distinguish social class. 

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?

According to Reading 4.1, the nearest station closest to my life is 103 St – Corona Plaza, and the people closest there are middle class or working class. Because the household income data near the subway station is $ 47,560 in 2011, they are middle class or working class. I am not surprised by the answer, because my neighbors are mostly engaged in the service industry and construction industry. Therefore, this data accurately represents the people who live near me. 

3. Based on Reading 4.2, do you notice a general pattern about social classes in NYC?

According to Reading 4.2, which shows each station on the subway map corresponds to the average income level of the residents around the station. This made me notice that the social class in New York City is a region-based model, which means that there is a difference in income between urban residents and suburban residents. For example, the 7 train, the station with the highest income for residents is Grand Central-42 St, which is the most prosperous area in Manhattan, New York City. The average income for residents there is $131,786. In contrast, the same line of 7 trains, the station at 90 St-Elmhurst Ave, where the average income of residents around the station is only $37,190, which is less than one-third of the average income of residents living near the Grand Central station. Therefore, the social class model of New York City is a region-based model. 

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?
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?
3. Based on Reading 4.2, do you notice a general pattern about social classes in NYC?