Like it or not, British culture is still rooted in the class system.
Despite increased multiculturalism and economic growth eroding class consciousness a little, under the surface and, class still creates a big gap in UK society.
The concept of a class system is at odds with the value that British people place on equality, whereby emphasis is placed on an "even playing field" and equal opportunities for all.
The class system is so entrenched however, in British culture that it’s proving difficult to move on from it.
Not only is it present on quite an overt level, where those of a higher class might, for example, refer to someone working class as a ‘chav’ if they dress in designer labels, but it’s also present on a subconscious level.
“In our country for all her greatness there is one thing she cannot do and that is translate a person wholly out of one class into another. Perfect translation from one language into another is impossible. Class is the British language.”
― William Golding, Rites of Passage
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What are the Different Classes in British Culture & Society?
Before we move on to discuss a recent event that caused considerable upset and accusations of ‘classism’, let’s first visit the designation of class:
While there are three main classes in British culture, the divisions are often expanded to include 5, or even seven, classes.
This takes us from the generic, and rather crass, descriptions of Working, Middle and Upper Class to;
- Lower Class – describing the homeless and very disenfranchised who are likely to have little economic, social and cultural capital.
- Working Class – describing those in low level or semi-skilled work with little post school education. Like the lower class, they don’t score well on the 3 capitals, but they are by no means as badly off.
- Middle Class – describing those who are professionals, or, in white-collar professions. They score far better on the social and cultural capital but may still struggle financially in some respects as they don’t have sufficient economic capital to not have to worry it about it.
- Upper Class – describing those who have strong economic, social and cultural capital. They are typically from ‘well to do’ families and have often received a private and university education. Whereas those in the Middle Class haven’t quite made it economically, the Upper Classes have more or less nailed it!
- Aristocrats – describing those with titles such as the royal family. Aristocrats have economic, social and cultural capital in absolute abundance. Wealth and titles are often inherited, and individuals don’t have the same pressure (or need) to prove themselves educationally. Their titles, possible nepotism and parental money will stand them in good stead regardless of individual success.
Changing class is doable but tough. For example, a Working Class person who wins the lottery and becomes rich would not be considered Upper Class.
They are still Working Class, albeit it, a rich member of the Working Class. To accelerate through class divisions requires that someone is educated, in a good job, speaks a certain way, engages in certain social activities and mixes with a certain type of person.
Queues are important in UK culture as they demonstrate the value of fairness. Jumping in front of others is the height of poor etiquette.
Click here to learn what is considered bad manners in the UK
Class in Action - An Example
Let’s now explore the episode that provoked outrage and accusations of classism in the UK.
This upset resulted from a property report, carried out by a London retail consultancy, which labelled a shopping street in the North East of England as the least vital high street in the UK.
Locals were upset and offended and called the report ‘classist’. In part of the report, the consultancy describes the street as: home to a “borderline poverty group” who take “solace in fast food, gambling and alcohol” and whose “day-to-day survival means that they will be less engaged with the wider world”.
The residents were understandably very upset and argued that it’s not fair to use the economic strength and social class of an area to make assessments as to how good or bad it is.
Many deprived areas are characterised by money lending units, bookmakers, charity shops, discount shops and pawnbrokers but these fixtures don’t in any way define the dynamics of the lives and communities of those that visit these streets.
According to residents, the community is a hub of support and long-standing relationships and to have their high street ‘demonised’ purely because of their class and lack of finance is unfair.
For a culture so focused on equality, it’s surprising that the class system has endured in Britain as long as it has. However, it’s a deeply rooted part of how Brits see the world and it’s unlikely to go anywhere very fast.
When we conflate class with ‘good or bad’ then it’s clear we still have a long way to go!
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Main image by Peter Lowe on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
FAQs
In the latest survey as many as 77% say that social class affects someone's opportunities in Britain 'a great deal' or 'quite a lot'. This is slightly higher than the 70% who expressed that view in 1983 and the 66% who did so in 1985.
How was social class determined in Britain? ›
Social Class in the United Kingdom - Key takeaways
Traditionally, we define class by job, wealth, and occupation. Nowadays economic, social, and cultural awareness are more important in defining class. Victorian Britain had three clear class tiers: upper, middle, and lower.
What makes the British culture stand out? ›
The British pride themselves on their social etiquette. From something as proper as tea time or even as casual as fish and chips at the local pub, politeness, manners, and general courtesy are the hallmarks of their culture. For example, standing in line, what the British call a 'queue' is taken very seriously.
What was the social class in the British Empire? ›
Elizabethan England had four main classes: the Nobility, the Gentry, the Yeomanry, and the Poor. A person's class determined how they could dress, where they could live, and the kinds of jobs people and their children could get.
How is social class still relevant today? ›
For example, class can have a measurable impact on an individual's wellbeing and health; both mental and physical. For example, one's socioeconomic status can often affect one's living conditions and access to basic resources, causing health levels can fluctuate as a result.
Does class still matter in society? ›
It matters to sociologists because the fact that it exists reflects unequal access to rights, resources, and power in society—what we call social stratification. As such, it has a strong effect on the access an individual has to education, the quality of that education, and how high a level he or she can reach.
When did the class system start in Britain? ›
Edward Royle argues that the actual language of class began to be applied to social structures in the second half of the 18th century. e term middle class has been dated from 1766. 2 e expression working class is dated at the earliest from 1789.
What was the social class in Britain in the 19th century? ›
The social classes of this era included the Upper class, Middle class, and lower class. Those who were fortunate enough to be in the Upper class did not usually perform manual labor. Instead, they were landowners and hired lower class workers to work for them, or made investments to create a profit.
Why is class important in society? ›
A person's social class has a significant impact on their physical health, their ability to receive adequate medical care and nutrition, and their life expectancy.
How is British culture different from American culture? ›
The British tend to be more fatalistic or pragmatic, while Americans are more optimistic, and perhaps in some ways, considered entitled. British humor tends to be more dry, witty, sarcastic or high-brow, which simply means intellectual. American humor, on the other hand, tends to be a little more slapstick.
These 4 fundamental British values are:
Democracy. Rule of Law. Respect & Tolerance. Individual Liberty.
Is British culture high or low context? ›
Cross-cultural studies and intercultural communication research distinguish between “low-context” and “high-context” cultures. People in low-context cultures communicate more explicitly, focusing on the words expressed instead of the context in which they are spoken. Both the US and the UK are low-context cultures.
What is meant by social class? ›
social class, a group of people within a society who possess the same socioeconomic status. Besides being important in social theory, the concept of class as a collection of individuals sharing similar economic circ*mstances has been widely used in censuses and in studies of social mobility.
What determines working class? ›
What Is the Working Class? "Working class" is a socioeconomic term used to describe persons in a social class marked by jobs that provide low pay, require limited skill, or physical labor. Typically, working-class jobs have reduced education requirements.
What is social class and examples? ›
In common parlance, the term social class is usually synonymous with socioeconomic class, defined as "people having the same social, economic, cultural, political or educational status", e.g. the working class, "an emerging professional class" etc.
Are inequalities of class still important in the UK? ›
Stark class inequalities in living standards persist in the UK, as signalled by the huge gaps in income and wealth levels between 'the 1%' and the majority.
Does social class inequality still exist? ›
Income inequality within countries is getting worse
This is how people stack up and compare themselves with their neighbours, family members, and society. Since 1990, income inequality has increased in most developed countries and in some middle-income countries, including China and India.
What percentage of Britain is working class? ›
Top line findings continued
Nearly half of all Brits (49%) consider themselves working class and just over a third (36%) think of themselves as middle class and just one per cent upper class. 78% of those who grew up in a working class family classify themselves as this now.
Is the UK mostly working class? ›
Around half of UK adults say they're working class, while a third say they're middle class. 48% of UK adults think of themselves as working class. Those most likely to identify themselves as working class are aged 50 to 64 (54%), compared with 40% of 18 to 24 year olds.
