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 how these two readings differentiate between social classes?
I’m a little confused because I can’t access the 4.2 reading, so I’m comparing Reading 4.1 with the readings in the 4.3 section.
The similarities I noticed between the way social class is discussed in Reading 4.1 and Section 4.3 are that both readings recognize that social class is determined by the amount and type of property one owns, and that positions in the social hierarchy are not fixed for life.
The difference lies in how the two readings define or differentiate the classes. In Reading 4.1, social class is determined by a wide range of factors and can vary significantly, with five typical social classes. People may not always recognize or agree on which class they belong to, even though they measure themselves using the same criteria. The value of these criteria, however, differs depending on perspective. In Section 4.3, the distinction between the two main social classes (the owning class and the labor class) is more straightforward. If you own wealth in the form of investments, real estate, stocks, bonds, or natural resources, you belong to the owning class. If not, you are part of the labor class, working for a living and earning a salary.
2. Pick the station closest to where you live. On the M train at Fresh Pond Road, using the concepts from Reading 4.1, what social class tends to live in your neighborhood?
Middle and working class.
Are you surprised (or not) by the answer?
Not surprised.
Do you feel it is an accurate representation of the people living in your neighborhood?
Yes, it is an accurate representation of the people living there.
3. Based on Reading 4.2, do you notice a general pattern about social classes in NYC?
From my experience, social classes in NYC tend to be separated into different neighborhoods, largely due to the cost of living, property values, and local job opportunities. For example, you’ll find two completely different classes living side by side but not interacting. In some areas, there are public housing projects, like Queens bridge Housing, which provide affordable housing for the lower class. Nearby, there may be warehouse manufacturing districts and commercial areas that create structural barriers between the lower-class neighborhoods and wealthier areas. A prime example of this is Long Island City, where luxury condominiums for the upper class are located next to office buildings, creating a clear divide between these wealthy residents and the lower-income neighborhoods just a short distance away.
