Social class in identity

Question 1

Mackintosh and Mooney (2004)
- Social closure

• For argument

Answer 1

Argued that a key feature of the upper class is their invisibility. The upper class operate social closure (their education, leisure time and daily activities are separated from the rest of the population).

For example they might send their children to boarding schools, participate in activities inaccessible by the majority e.g opera.

Question 2

Skeggs (1997)

• Working class women

Answer 2

Studied working class women who felt humiliated by the ways in which others from professional jobs judged them due to their background. As a result the women made a strenuous effort to show that they were respectable. For example by the way they dressed, leisure time activities and home decorations.

Question 3

Murray (1984)

• Dependency culture

Answer 3

Over generous benefits encourage some people to develop a dependency culture in which they do not take responsibility for their actions and have an expectation that they will be looked after by the state.

Question 4

Paluski and Waters ( 1996)

• Against
• Post modernist

Answer 4

There has been a shift from production to consumption in identity. We are defined by what we buy not what we do.

Question 5

Offe (1985)

• Against
• Create our own identities

Answer 5

In today’s society, fewer individuals share a common experience of full time work. The experience used to shape the culture of social class.

Now regardless of our social class, qualifications or job we may have we are able to create our own identities.