The document defines social class as the way society is divided into lower, middle, and upper classes based on factors like occupation, education, income, and mannerisms. It then provides stereotypes and examples for each class. The working class is divided into skilled and unskilled, and stereotypes include poor manners and hygiene. The middle class is divided into lower and upper, and stereotypes include being well-educated and owning homes. The upper class is considered the elite due to inherited wealth and education, and stereotypes portray them as posh and superior.

1. By Danielle Duffy

2. Definition
The social class system is the way in which people are
grouped in society, into three main classes (lower,
middle and upper). Ones class is commonly determined
depending upon their occupation, level of education,
income and mannerisms. This creates a clear division
between people, those in higher positions are thought to
condescend those below, as it is assumed that power
derives from ones financial ownings. Within media the
classes commonly have stereotypes associated with them
in the way that they are represented.

3. Working Class
Divided into two sub-sections; skilled and unskilled:
 Those from unskilled working class occupy positions that require no qualifications e.g.
cleaner, retail workers
 Those from skilled working class commonly have jobs in industry which may require
training e.g. mechanic, hairdresser
Stereotypes:
 Poor manners, use of unsophisticated language, often swear
 Are unhappy, struggle to get by, cannot afford luxuries
 Bad-tempered, angry, often complain
 Have many children
 Scrimping
 Poor hygiene
 Work for people
 Little savings
 Manual work
 Living in rented properties

4. Working Class example
Frank from Shameless
Scruffy appearance (long
hair, stubble) – suggests
he lacks care for the way
he looks. Perhaps also he
cannot afford a haircut or
products to clean his face
Facial expression suggests
that he is hostile – this is
conventional as lower class
people are typically
presented as unhappy, and
pugnacious perhaps because
of their poor lifestyles
Smoking a cigarette –
shows perhaps he is
tired/bored with life (as
smokers often smoke out
of habit and stress),
perhaps he has an
addiction which is a
stereotype of poorer
classes as it shows lack of
control and weakness
His clothing is dull, looks
worn (perhaps he has few
items of clothing), appears to
be a hoodie which is informal
and scruffy, showing poverty
His whole image gives off the feel
that he is unemployed. Judging his
look I might ask infer that he enjoys
drinking and causing trouble

5. Middle Class
Divided into two sub-sections; lower middle and upper middle:
 The lower middle include those with degrees from less prestigious universities -
may own a local business or work for larger corporations as junior/middle
management
 The upper middle are traditionally educated at more prestigious public school
and typical careers include doctors, academics, art dealers and barristers
Stereotypes:
 Managerial
 Own their home
 Dress in suits
 Nice car
 Well off /affluent
 Well educated
 Suburbia
 Speak more articulately

6. Middle Class example
Coronation Street’s Liz
McDonald
I would place Liz
McDonald within the
lower middle class as she
is the landlady of the
local pub
As a barmaid it doesn’t
seem she possesses any
qualifications and
therefore she contradicts
the stereotype. It appears
she has perhaps upgraded
social classes and
invested in this business
showing she is a capable
and independent
character
She is rather common;
this association I have
collected from her use of
simple language
She is always seen dressed
rather fancily (in dresses and
fashionable clothing with her
hair and makeup done) due to
her job on the bar and
socialising with people;
suggesting that she is rather
well-off (typical of middle
class people)

7. Upper Class
A smaller group within society considered to be the ‘elite’, often owed to
the inheritance of money and land; attaining them power and superiority
allowing them to dominate the mass.
Stereotypes:
 Rich
 Posh
 Snobby
 Superior
 Well dressed
 Intellectual, educated in the top schools
 Land owners
 Own high end properties
 Well spoken

8. Upper Class example
Downton Abbey
The men are shown
socialising. Noticeably the
group are all men;
portraying those of higher
class as sticking to
associating those of the
same gender.
In terms of costume;
the men are dressed
in three-piece suits
showing the level of
formality amongst
these people, and
affluence
Their posture is rather
proud and proper

9. Comparison
Lower class people seem to be associated with poor
quality living styles; unhygienic and scruffy in
appearance; juxtaposed with those of higher class who
can afford to dress smartly; and are always seen looking
well-maintained and presentable. Lower class characters
stereotypically use simple language and curse frequently,
expressing their stress and lack of care, influencing their
children to copy them and make bad decisions; this
often being the basis for narrative within TV drama.
Whereas higher classes are more stable in life and use
articulate language to communicate.

10. Who has the power?
Traditionally, it is those of higher class who possess the most
power, according to hierarchal structure. The elites gain this power
from their family’s status and affluence. According to Gramsci’s
theory of Hegemony, the power lies within the hands of the elite, as
the status possessed by them means they have control over the
media as they often take lead roles in companies that allow them to
influence the construction of representation in media to
indoctrinate the mass into thinking they are inferior, and
commonly intimidating (as seen in the pugnacious appearance of
Shameless’ Frank) forming different audiences’ perceptions of
others in a negative or positive way. However it can be argued that
because the mass is a larger group, their opinions add up to be
greater than the small popularity of elites, and so are mocked by
those below who view them as snobby and selfish.