Lower middle class

In developed nations across the earth, the lower middle class, is a sub-division of the greater middle class which constitutes by far the largest socio-economic class. Universally the term refers to the group of middle class households or individuals who have not attained the status of the upper middle class associated with the higher realms of the middle class, hence the name.

United States

In American society, the middle class may be divided into two or three sub-groups. When divided into two parts, the lower middle class, also sometimes simply referred to as "middle class," consists of roughly one third of households, roughly twice as large as the upper middle class. Common occupation fields are semi-professionals, such as school teachers or accountants, small business owners and skilled craftsmen. These individuals commonly have some college education or perhaps a Bachelor's degree and earn a comfortable living. Already among the largest social classes, rivaled only by the working class, the American lower middle class is diverse and growing.Gilbert, D. (1998). "The American Class Structure". Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.] Thompson, W. & Hickey, J. (2005). "Society in Focus". Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon, Pearson.]

Though, not common in sociological models, the middle class may be divided into three sections in vernacular language usage. In this system the term lower middle class relates to the demographic referred to as working class in most sociological models. Yet, some class models, such as those by sociologist Leonard Beeghley suggest the middle class to be one cohesive socio-economic demographic, including the demographics otherwise referred to as lower, simply middle or upper middle class in one group comprising about 45% of households.Beeghley, L. (2004). "The Structure of Social Stratification in the United States". Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon, Pearson.]

ocial class in the US at a glance

ee also

*Underclass
*Working class
*Middle class
*Upper middle class
*Upper class

References