Sociologists use the term social stratification to describe the system of social standing. Social stratification refers to a societys categorization of its people into rankings of socioeconomic tiers based on factors like wealth, income, race, education, and power. For sociologists, categorizing class is a fluid science. Sociologists generally identify three levels of class in the United States: upper, middle, and lower class.For your initial post, reflect on the reality of social class in the United States. What stands out to you as some of the most influential factors on a persons social class? Describe at least two aspects of social life, whether they be larger social structures and institutions (business, education, political), individual factors (family, race, sexuality, gender), that influence a persons social class throughout their life course. Your discussion should reflect a basic understanding of how sociology uses science and data to understand this social phenomenon, and not just a personal, cultural understanding of wealth and work ethic.
