The most concise modern class definition I have seen goes something like this:
Working class: work to survive.
Middle class: work to do other things.
Upper middle class: work for wealth.
Upper class: work optional.
People rightfully like to talk about the working poor and the disappearing middle class, but I think we are actually already past that. What we are seeing now is that between education, housing and financial insecurity it is hard to be even upper middle class anymore without existing wealth.
Working class: work to survive. Middle class: work to do other things. Upper middle class: work for wealth. Upper class: work optional.
People rightfully like to talk about the working poor and the disappearing middle class, but I think we are actually already past that. What we are seeing now is that between education, housing and financial insecurity it is hard to be even upper middle class anymore without existing wealth.