Social class

Social class is the concept, existing in all Western societies (at least), of society being divided into various mostly-hereditary groups, largely arranged in a pyramidal hierarchy of status. Classes are not normally quite rigid nor are their boundaries precisely defined, but their existence is not less real for that.

Traditionally, social class was mostly a phenomenon of men, women acquiring their status from men (their husbands or fathers, rarely others) and having no independent standing of their own. This is still true for most, though modern times provide paths for women to make it on their own.


See also:

*Essay: On social class

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