The Middle Class in The United States

            One can compare and identify the objective facts and subjective perception by how people in the US view themselves regardless of their economic positions. The class is identified and reflected in their attitudes and values (Marger, 2021, p. 111). According to Marger (2021), the US middle-class is both an objective fact and a subjective mood. Therefore, occupation influences the life of the middle class, and this could be the prominent distinguishing feature separating the middle class and other classes. Consequently, one can identify and compare the middle-class by looking at the significant difference between the three classes in education, income, and lifestyle. In this case, the affluent in this class decide the financial and lifestyle terms (Marger, 2021, p. 112).  The upper-middle-class consist of lawyers, engineers, scientists, and technicians.

            Similarly, the upper-middle class has been perceived to have sophisticated homes with excellent educational experiences. It is believed that subjective well-being is significantly stronger than objective perception because of the relative ranking based on income—the lower-middle-class consist of small business owners and white-collar workers. The working class, on the other hand, has people with blue-collar jobs. In this case, one can identify and compare subjective well-being by use of occupation and lifestyle.

            Another way to identify and compare the middle-class is by income.  According to Marger (2021), two-third of American families have an income between $25,000 and $150,000.  On the other hand, it is said that almost all Americans, when asked to classify themselves in the stratification system, they perceive themselves as middle-class. An individual’s life satisfaction decreases as objective social class decreases. Similarly, a person’s lifestyle decreases with a decline of the objective social class by one level. Subjective mood influences an individual’s perception of social positions that impact their economic behaviors and choices. In Texas, the objective mood defines people by their income level, occupation, and education. The lifestyle of the upper-middle is significantly different from that of the working class. Similarly, the lower-middle-class have white-collar jobs but cannot be compared with the upper-middle class.