Unskilled workers in the class-dishwashers, cashiers, maids, and waitresses-usually are underpaid and have no opportunity for career advancement. They are often called the working poor. Skilled workers in this class-carpenters, plumbers, and electricians-are often called blue collar workers. They may make more money than workers in the middle class-secretaries, teachers, and computer technicians; however, their jobs are usually more physically taxing, and in some cases quite dangerous.
2. The Middle Class.
The middle class is the "sandwich" class. These white collar workers have more money than those below them on the "social ladder," but less than those above them. They divide into two levels according to wealth, education, and prestige. .
The lower middle class is often made up of less educated people with lower incomes, such as managers, small business owners, teachers, and secretaries. .
The upper middle class is often made up of highly educated business and professional people with high incomes, such as doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers, and CEOs.
3. The Upper Class.
Comprising only 1 to 3 percent of the population of Great Britain, the upper class holds more than 25 percent of the nation's wealth. This class divides into two groups: lower-upper and upper-upper. The lower-upper class includes those with "new money," or money made from investments, business ventures, and so forth. The upper-upper class includes those aristocratic and "high-society" families with "old money" who have been rich for generations. These extremely wealthy people live off the income from their inherited riches. The upper-upper class is more prestigious than the lower-upper class.
Wherever their money comes from, both segments of the upper class are exceptionally rich. Both groups have more money than they could possibly spend, which leaves them with much leisure time for cultivating a variety of interests.
