2. INTRODUCTION
Social class refers to the economic and social status of an individual,
categorising society based on factors such as income, education and
employment. The concept of class is complex, with various issues
surrounding superiority and authority, many of which are often
perpetuated through the use of stereotypes within the media. At
present, there are three main social classes in the UK – working class,
middle class and upper class – as well as a debated fourth group,
called the ‘underclass’.
3. STEREOTYPES
UNDERCLASS
Typical portrayals of the underclass
include:
• little/no money (and thus also no
job)
• Living on benefits
• Issues surrounding drug/alcohol
consumption
• Anti-social/criminal behaviour
• Unintelligent/uneducated
WORKING CLASS
Common stereotypes associated
with the working class are:
• Little money
• Poorly paid (unskilled)/no job
• Unintelligent/uneducated – few/no
qualifications
• Poorly dressed
4. STEREOTYPES
MIDDLE CLASS
The middle class are often depicted
in the following ways:
• Educated, but not from prestigious
schools/universities
• Well-dressed/well-presented
• Relatively high income
employment
• Achieved status – earning money
through hard work
UPPER CLASS
The following stereotypes can be
associated with the upper class:
• A sense of superiority/authority
• Very well-dressed/smart
• Highly educated from prestigious
universities
• Ascribed status – inherited
money/position
• Look down upon lower classes
5. REPRESENTATION OF THE UNDERCLASS
The underclass are often presented very stereotypically within the media,
possessing many of the traits previously listed. These representations often portray
the underclass as a cause for moral panic, creating both problems within wider
society, as well as personal problems, as a result of social inadequacy rather than
systematic oppression. Examples of this include TV Dramas such as ‘Benefits
Street’ or ‘Skint’, which supposedly aim to inform the public of problems surrounding
the working class, but instead represent only a selective, stereotypical group of
working class characters. These representations do not evoke audience empathy,
but instead present the class as a point of mockery, creating a hyper-real image
which viewers believe to be accurate and representative of the entire demographic.
This is arguably a result of the fact that middle/upper classes control a majority of
the mass media, and thus transmit hegemonic ideas. By presenting the underclass
as the root of their own problems, they are able to maintain a state of false
consciousness within society, wherein institutional inequality is overlooked.
6. REPRESENTATION OF THE WORKING CLASS
The working class are represented similarly to the underclass, again due to the dominant
ideologies transmitted through the control of middle/upper classes. Examples of these
representations can be seen in soap operas such as Eastenders, which arguably
construct stereotypical, but hyper-real and unrepresentative, portrayals of the working
class. The show can be described to exaggerate stereotypes in order to justify character
and actions and, as a result, build more drama. This establishes a representation of the
working class life as excessively dramatic, which links to Dyer’s theory of stereotypes
legitimising inequality – by presenting the demographic to be the cause of their own
problems, it is supposedly justifiable for higher classes to treat them unequally within
reality.
7. REPRESENTATION OF THE MIDDLE CLASS
The representation of the upper class arguably reflects the dominant ideology within
society, as much of the mass media is controlled by middle or upper classes. As a result,
portrayals of this demographic are generally positive, rarely displaying them in a critical
light, nor acknowledging the inequalities maintained by these classes. An example of a
TV Drama which represents the middle class is ‘Modern Family’, wherein a conventional
family of this demographic is presented. The show arguably appeals to middle-class
viewers, presenting audience identification through stereotypical activities or props – for
example, the inclusion of Apple products, as well as various family holidays abroad. This
represents the middle class to live comfortably, presenting such items as mundane
rather than luxury (which in turn suggests that the family possess a relatively high
amount of money). The characters dress in a manner which is deemed ‘ordinary’ and
identifiable with most audiences, therefore representing the middle class to make up a
large majority of society. This is a stereotypical representation, presenting the middle
class to be between the working and upper classes, therefore portraying a ‘normal’
member of society.
8. REPRESENTATION OF THE UPPER CLASS
Similarly to that of the middle class, upper class representations are more positive than
those of working class individuals. This is, again, likely a result of the fact that they
control much of the mass media, allowing them to transmit their own hegemonic
ideologies. An example of a TV drama in which the upper class are represented is
‘Downton Abbey’, wherein status is communicated prior to any introduction of
character. An establishing shot of a large mansion immediately connotes to a physical
display of wealth, thus representing the demographic in a stereotypical manner. This is
further emphasised through character, wherein costumes are incredibly smart – for
example, men are dressed in suits and women in long dresses of the period. There are
additional representations of class within working class servants, however these are
arguably constructed in an idealistic manner. The upper class appear to treat their
workers in a manner which does not acknowledge the brutality of life for many ‘real’
working class servants, failing to represent any significant class conflict. Likewise, the
servants appear content with their situation and apparent inferiority – this being
applicable to Dyer’s theory of stereotypes legitimising inequality, wherein the
acceptance of inferiority acts as justification for the ‘real’ upper class to treat the
working classes poorly.
