In
developed nations around the world, the lower middle class is a subdivision of the greater
middle class
The middle class refers to a class of people in the middle of a social hierarchy, often defined by occupation, income, education, or social status. The term has historically been associated with modernity, capitalism and political debate. C ...
. Universally, the term refers to the group of middle class households or individuals who have not attained the status of the middle or
upper middle class associated with the higher realms of the middle class, hence the name.
United States
In American society, the
middle class
The middle class refers to a class of people in the middle of a social hierarchy, often defined by occupation, income, education, or social status. The term has historically been associated with modernity, capitalism and political debate. C ...
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 or
managerial class
The middle class refers to a Social class, class of people in the middle of a social hierarchy, often defined by job, occupation, income, education, or social status. The term has historically been associated with modernity, capitalism and polit ...
. Common occupation fields are semi-professionals, such as lower-level managers, small business owners and skilled
craftsmen. These individuals commonly have
some college education or perhaps a
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree (from Medieval Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years ...
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.
[.][.]
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.]
Social class in the US at a glance
See also
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Middle class
The middle class refers to a class of people in the middle of a social hierarchy, often defined by occupation, income, education, or social status. The term has historically been associated with modernity, capitalism and political debate. C ...
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Social class in the United Kingdom
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Underclass
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Upper class
Upper class in modern societies is the social class composed of people who hold the highest social status. Usually, these are the wealthiest members of class society, and wield the greatest political power. According to this view, the upper cla ...
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Upper middle class
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Working class
References
Notes
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{{Social class
Middle class