Media And The Common Stereotypes

Jonathon Batson and Cameron Letts

Common Stereotypes

Upper Class

Known to some as the bourgeoisie, the upper class or ‘ruling’ class, often are elderly with a vast amount of money, usually with education at top universities, nights out at exclusive clubs, perhaps careers in established law, politics or financial firms or even medical specialties. Attend cultural activities such as classical music performances, art museums, opera’s etc.  They could spend their afternoons eating fine cuisine at high quality restaurants owned by professional chefs. Often wearing business clothes, but even casual clothes are upper class with expensive brands and crafted from designers. This class is located in the media with TV shows such as House Of Cards.

Upper-Middle Class

The people in the upper-middle class usually have a college education in practical fields with well-paying jobs. With homes in pleasant areas or in nice city areas they tend to volunteer in community activities. Wives often have careers with household help on an as-needed basis. They have enough money for vacations and expensive tickets to sporting events and music festivals. Teenage kids of this class have cars of their own, this class is shown in the media via things such as the TV show 'Hannibal'

Middle Class

Successful small businessmen, such as grocers and building contractors. Retirees. Medium-sized homes, often owned. Careful with their money. Careful to always look nice around other people. Church-goers. Old-fashioned home cooking. This class may be seen in films such as 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'






Working Class

With steady but low-wage occupations such as store clerks, beauticians and amateur painters, this class generally has a high school education and live in rented housing. Occasionally get into difficulties with family turmoil, trouble with small misdemeanours, pregnancies. Cheap, easily-prepared foods (spaghetti, hamburgers), few fruits and vegetables. Blue jeans the wardrobe mainstay. Pop and rock music constantly going. TV the main entertainment. Seen in films such as 'Green Street'



Lower Class

Sporadic employment, School dropouts, Dependent on money from the government, living in shabby, high-crime areas of the cities or in pockets of rural poverty. Ethnic music, hispanic or rap. Little hope for achieving a better life. Seen in films such as 'Oliver Twist'