RESOURCE FILES

Chapter 10

The Architecture of Stratification: Social Class and Inequality

Sociologists at Work

 


Susan Ostrander

Upper-Class Consciousness

To examine the issue of class consciousness, sociologist Susan Ostrander conducted in-depth interviews with 38 upper-class women in a large midwestern city.1 These women belonged to distinctly upper-class clubs, lived in the wealthiest areas of the city, had husbands who worked in the top echelons of business, and sent their children to private schools.

The women who were interviewed showed an obvious sense of "we-ness": a sense of belonging and a feeling of cohesiveness with other wealthy individuals. Their daily activities, which included volunteer and charity work, were clearly organized around class-related behaviors and values.

Nevertheless, when asked directly whether they considered themselves upper class, these women quickly rejected the use of the term, with comments like these:

I hate [the term] upper class. It's so non-upper class to use it. I just call it "all of us," those of us who are well-born.

I hate to use the word "class." We're responsible, fortunate people, old families, the people who have something.

I wouldn't classify anyone as upper class, just as productive, worthwhile people.

We're not supposed to have layers [in our society]. I'm embarrassed to admit to you that we do, and that I feel superior at my social level. I like being part of the upper crust.

Ostrander concluded that class consciousness is not a matter of how people identify themselves but a matter of how people act. Despite an unwillingness to call themselves upper class, the activities of these wealthy women clearly indicate that they are.

The implications are profoundly important: If those at the top are reluctant to acknowledge that a class structure exists, then any strategy to eliminate class inequality will be seen by those with the power to make changes as unnecessary and will therefore receive little attention.

1Ostrander, S. 1980. "Upper class women: Class consciousness as conduct and meaning." In G. W. Domhoff (Ed.), Power structure research. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

David Newman and Rebecca Smith. (Created September 14, 1999). Copyright Pine Forge Press.
http://www.pineforge.com/newman.