1. In both readings 4.1 and 4.2 social class is discussed. Reading 4.1 established that social class is influenced by various socioeconomic variables, including income, education, age, race, and region. In comparison,4.2 serves as research supporting this being that it provides evidence of the correlation between specifically region race and income. 4.2 analyzed subway riders, presenting a graph that revealed the median income for typical riders at each stop along every train line. After personally taking a look at the research it is evident that individuals living in Manhattan or predominately white neighborhoods tend to have higher median incomes, whereas those getting off at stops/living in predominantly black areas, such as parts of the Bronx and Harlem, have relatively lower median incomes. This ultimately reinforced the correlation between, income, region, and race that reading 4.1 introduced.However,4.1 and 4.2 did have the difference of reading 4.1 viewing social class from both an objective and subjective view, while 4.2 only portrayed the date in an objective view
2. Overall I’d say that harlem is a diverse melting pot ultimately leading to a variety of social classes,however, in my specific neighborhood of Harlem i’d say the typical social classes are mainly lower and working class, with a small amount of middle class.For my closest train stop the median income was $55,591, I’m not too surprised with the this being that in my opinion this would still fall between lower and working class being that according to several articles in order to live comfortably in new york(the cost of living is factored in) you’d need to make at least $138,000 per year.
3. As briefly mentioned in my answer to question 1, after analyzing reading 4.2 I see the pattern of there being higher social classes located in predominately white neighborhoods such as Manhattan,and lower social classes located in ethnically diverse urban area’s.

1) Article 4.1 demonstrates how Americans treat class identity subjectively, with cultural factors, lifestyle, and individual perspectives all influencing how they define their social class. People seem to associate themselves with the social class that seems most fitting, disregarding education levels and household income. Article 4.2 shows a series of graphs that indicate the median household income (2011) scattered across neighborhoods surrounding New York City subway stations. The graphs visualize the steepness of economic inequity across the five boroughs. Both articles show how class identity is not objective to most individuals, as people with varying levels of income will still group themselves and others using their own thought processes. Article 4.1 builds on this idea with people’s tendency to self-identify social class while the second article has concrete data that shows the objective reality of income levels in NYC, highlighting how people may not recognize these gaps if they are busy creating their own sets of criteria.

2) The closest station to where I live is Sheepshead Bay station (B/Q). The 2022 median household income for Sheepshead Bay was $63,370. According to Article 4.1, the neighborhood falls under the working and middle social classes. I believe this is an accurate representation since South Brooklyn has not experienced nearly the amount of gentrification as the rest of Brooklyn, leaving decently priced housing for the people living here. (Source: https://furmancenter.org/neighborhoods/view/sheepshead-bay#demographics)

3) The general pattern around social classes in the city is that wealth is concentrated in Manhattan and Brooklyn. In Manhattan, areas like UES, SoHo, and Midtown are expensive, while LES and East Harlem are more affordable. In Brooklyn, areas like Williamsburg, DUMBO, and Brooklyn Heights are much wealthier than the rest of the borough. These parts of Brooklyn are close to Manhattan and share expensive waterfront views which are seen as a luxury. Some of these neighborhoods were once affordable, but due to gentrification, many low-income residents were pushed out of their homes because of rent prices skyrocketing and new luxury housing developments being built. 

(I was able to get to reading 4.2 by using this URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20230516092143/https://projects.newyorker.com/story/subway/)

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?

After reviewing both readings 4.1 and 4.2 I can only see one similarity in both 4.1 & 4.2, which is that people that live in the ‘suburbs’ are more likely to see themselves as middle-class or working-class. This is clearly shown in 4.1 “People living in rural areas are less likely to identify in a higher social class compared with those living in urban and suburban areas“. The graphs in reading 4.2 strongly suggest the same, and are based on data collected by census. The data shows the NYC subway map as a guide to social classes. Each station on the subway map corresponds with an average income level of the people living around that stop. Unlike 4.1, this data is based not on how people see themselves, but rather on ‘cold’ data and statistics.
For example, in reading 4.2, at Jamaica Center – Parsons-Archer station of the Z line, we can see that the median income of the average household is $37,184 which puts the average household at the lower-middle class or the working class. On the other hand we have the Canal St. station or Chambers St. station, which are both located in the heart of Manhattan. We can see that the median income of the average household is $135,573 which puts the average household at the upper-middle class. So as we can see there is a correlation between the two readings on the point that not only do people would more likely see themselves as lower-middle class if they live in the suburbs, they are in fact more likely to be lower-middle class if they live in the suburbs.

Of course the most obvious difference between the two reading is the fact that 4.1 is really about the subjective perception of how people classify themselves and 4.1 is far more fact-based.
Another major difference is that in 4.2 the social classes are based solely on the annual income, but in 4.1 there are multiple different factors that help people classify themselves into social classes (income, age, sex, political affiliation, region of living, etc).

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 on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and the closest Station to me is the 86th St, station of the 4,5,6 train.
As seen in the map in reading 4.2, the median household income is $104,514 , which would put many nearby household at the upper-middle class. I am not surprised at all by the answer. It is well known that this part of the city is considered strong in terms of socioeconomic classes. There are many luxury buildings in the neighborhood and there are many top-end stored on its avenues. When walking the streets you can sense that this is a wealthy neighborhood, and I am sure that many would agree and see the same. Thus, I do 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?

Based on Reading 4.2, it seems clear that the further away you go from the center of Manhattan into other boroughs, the level of social classes are more likely to go down. It is much more evident in the last/first stops of most subway lines which start/end in the boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx.
The stronger population of NYC (in terms of annual income and social class) is more likely to live in Manhattan than other boroughs.

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?

1) I unfortunately do not have access to the 4.2 reading. As for reading 4.1, social classes are based on where groups of people fall on with how much income is made. The social class divides people into five classes, but with how the economy is going, the middle class is facing the challenges those in the lower class had to endure. There are many factors that can play a role in where people in society stand in social class. Education is one of the important assets to have, as the society we live in today defines that as your worth, which results in the income made. Over time, social class has negatively impacted many; it has become such a big gap between upper and middle class that many are questioning how earning a livable wage has become increasingly difficult that it’s been affecting even those in middle class.

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?

2) The concepts from reading 4.1 are that the social class that lives in my neighborhood would be lower and working class. I am not surprised by the answer, as the economy that is currently being lived through has made earning a living a lot more challenging. I do believe it is an accurate representation of the people living in my neighborhood, as the area I reside in unfortunately struggles to get the necessary assistance to give those struggling a stepping stone to be able to meet their physiological needs.

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

3) The general pattern of social classes in NYC has changed over time as division is still in place. It began with how much income was made in different social groups to an individual’s worth relating to their status, education, age, and strategy. The areas, such as different parts of a borough, are a good example of how divided and separated we are as a society because of where one stands in social class. An example of this would be the transit system, while riding the train many know who will be getting off before what stop and how the environment changes as it goes further into the borough.

There are similarities and differences in discussing social classes in readings 4.1 and 4.2: 

Similarities

Both readings have their ways of determining social classes and the forms in which individuals experience them. They reveal a direct correlation between many factors and what it means to be categorized under social classes, such as income, jobs, or education level, which are three indicators of self-concept assessment of individuals and perceptions regarding another person’s social class. 

Another similarity is that both readings generalize the understanding of social class much more than what can be said to be true. Reading 4.1 talks about how people define class in terms of income or job which are evident but not necessarily that simple. Reading 4.2 takes it a step further and points out the link of income and class to the geography of the locality one inhabits, as visible in the example of the NYC subway map. So, the two readings are saying the same thing: class is more than just how much one earns or even what their job title is. 

Differences: 

Reading 4.1 is fundamentally about the way Americans perceive and define self to classify. When asked who they consider working class, Americans would most often view it in terms of the amount of cash one earns, educational level, or particular kind of employment. This way of thinking about social class is too limited, thereby trying to take a more critical and thoughtful approach toward self-formation in social class thinking.

Comparatively, reading 4.2 approaches social class to geography, particularly the New York City metropolitan area. That subway map showed how certain parts of the city had contrasting classes of individuals living there, mainly by income and geographic location. Thus, if reading 4.1 focuses more on how people define class, reading 4.2 shows geographic variation, which could very well tell us something about a person’s social class.

2. Social Class in My Neighborhood:

Using examples from Reading 4.1, I would consider what jobs, income, and education level people have in my neighborhood to determine what social class most people belong to. An example would be if I lived in a neighborhood where most had middle-income jobs (like teachers or office workers); I would probably call it a middle-class neighborhood. On the other hand, if people are high-earners, let alone having a mix of high- and low-income earners, the neighborhood would probably be a mix of the middle and upper class or even include some working class.

This answer surprises me depending on my expectations. If I had thought that the neighborhood was mostly wealthy and discovered it was middle class, I might feel surprised. On the other hand, if I already thought it was middle class, then that wouldn’t be surprising. But when I think about it in a deeper sense, I might feel that the people who live here truly represent the class I think they belong to.

Generally The Socio-Economic Pattern In New York City (From Reading 4.2): 

Through reading 4.2, we see that within the New York City community, people’s social classes derive as much from the area in which they live, the more affluent found residing adjacent to or close to such subway stations viewed as higher-income areas-perhaps within parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn. These areas are characterized by relatively expensive housing and even higher-paying jobs. In contrast, lower-income communities are usually found closer to subway stations known to be associated with lower incomes-like South Bronx or Queens.

This indicates the very evident pattern here in NYC: the neighborhood you live in will tell a person a lot about your social class. This can be visualized along the shape of the subway map because a visual representation will suffice to see how one speaks of social class via one’s neighborhood. So that is what the sub on the mind for this reading sets out to largely clarify; that social class is not just about how much money you make, but where you live and what it says about your income level. It is a very typical way to see how social class can combine many factors rather than being based purely on a person’s job or paycheck.

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 wasn’t able to access 4.2 but according to 4.1, race, education, and income all have an impact on how people perceive social class. Class identity is frequently influenced by education whereas mobility and opportunities are influenced by race the article demonstrates how a combination of these aspects shapes 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 presentation of the people living in your neighborhood? 

*I live in Jackson Heights,  Which is near the 7 train line in Queens, the neighborhood is known for its diverse population with many residents being, Hispanic, South Asian and East Asian, since many people in my area depend on labor intensive job small businesses and service jobs the social class is primarily working class (low class), according to the ideas stated in the 4.1 article. Given that Jackson Heights has long been a neighborhood or immigrant family settle, frequently in pursuit of affordable housing and employment opportunities I’m not shocked by this response it seems to be a true portrayal of the neighborhood because in spite of financial difficulties the locals seem to put in a lot of effort to provide for their families and maintain their sense of community. 

3.Do you notice a pattern about social class in Nyc?

*Yes, In the neighborhoods of Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Harlem, where a large population of immigrants and people of color reside. They are frequently home to lower-income families in Nyc. Except in Manhattan, where financially secure areas like the upper east side predominate, the wealthiest residents are typically found on the boroughs outside. With gentrification gradually altering the composition of historically lower-income neighborhoods, this division emphasizes the disparity between 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?

I Currently cannot access reading 4.2 so I will be comparing readings 4.1 and 4.3 instead!

Both readings 4.1 and 4.3 both discussed the similarities of social class by discussing the economic divides, income and wealth, and the class fluidity. In both readings, the economic divides discuss that there is a division in society based on income. This divide also distinguished between those who are well-off and those who financially struggling. Furthermore, the discussion of income in wealth is also discussed in both readings explaining how upper class people benefit from investments while the working class, on the other hand, depend on wages. To continue, class fluidity is also discussed in both readings explaining how some individuals are moving through social classes.

Both readings however discussed some different topics. In both readings 4.1 and 4.3, they dive deep into the middle class and how society views them. In reading 4.1, they explain how the middle class is based on self-identification and demographic features instead of focusing on economics. Individuals determine their social class based on their income, education, political affliction, and/or race. In reading 4.3, however, it explains how the middle class is not as stable as it it usually portrayed. In this reading, Parenti also explains how the word middle class is used to hide the division between capitalist, who are owners, and workers.

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 social class that tends to live in my neighborhood is middle class. I

– am not surprised by the answer.

-Yes, I do feel like it’s a accurate representation of people living in my neighborhood.

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

Something I noticed about the social classes in NYC is there is a clear division of social classes. Many neighborhood are solely divided based upon income, education, and other factors. For example, the Upper Eastside of Manhattan has luxury housing like multi-million-dollar townhouses and penthouses, many good hospitals, well funded school, and well-maintained streets. While in Harlem, like 125th St which is 1.5 miles from the upper east side, has public housing projects, less funding for schools, and neglected streets and higher crime rates.

In “Wealth Inequality in America” and “What Determines How Americans Perceive Their Social Class?”, the authors explore the understanding and discussion surrounding social class. One striking similarity between the two pieces is how we, as Americans, perceive the social class system. In the first video, we are presented with a clear explanation of the social class system itself, our perceptions of how it functions, and the ideal version we hope it can achieve. This highlights the subjective nature of our understanding of social class dynamics.

In the second video, the 2nd paragraph expands upon the distinction between objective and subjective perspectives on social class. Objectively, factors such as income, wealth, education, and occupation significantly contribute to the classification of individuals within the social hierarchy. However, the subjective dimension arises from how individuals perceive and position themselves within this system, highlighting the interplay between personal identity and social categorization.

I observed a notable difference between the two videos. The first video shares information from the latest consensus, indicating that the top 20%, top 10%, and 1% of Americans control most of the nation’s wealth, while the middle class and those below are in a challenging situation.

In contrast, the seco^nd video explores the influence of education on an individual’s standing within the social class hierarchy. It suggests that individuals with a higher level of education are better equipped to assess their position in society.