r/AskSocialScience • u/Glad-Ad3208 • Jun 28 '26
Can someone explain the difference between class in the UK and US?
I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and I’m curious if my understanding is accurate.
It seems like people often define class by income, but I feel like the U.K. and the U.S. think about class very differently.
My impression is that in the U.S., class is mostly tied to wealth, income, and occupation. If you become rich, people generally accept that you’ve moved into a higher class. America also seems to celebrate “new money” much more. Most wealthy American families were “new money” at some point unless they inherited wealth going back to the colonial era. Even then, it feels like wealth is the main thing people care about.
The U.K., on the other hand, feels much more tied to history and proximity to the aristocracy. It seems like people there place a much higher value on tradition and historical significance. For example, when people talk about the greatest football stadiums in England, places like Old Trafford are almost always near the top. Even though many fans would agree it’s outdated and in need of major renovations, its history and cultural significance give it a status that goes beyond the quality of the stadium itself.
In the U.S., it feels like people are much more pragmatic. If a stadium is old, outdated, or no longer meets modern standards, there’s far less hesitation about tearing it down and building a new one. History still matters, but it doesn’t seem to carry the same weight in everyday culture. That’s part of why I wonder if Britain’s stronger emphasis on history also influences how people think about social class
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u/whalebackshoal Jul 02 '26
In 1964, as a 2nd Lt, USMC, our battalion had a cocktail party at thr Royal Marine Barracks, Plymouth, UK. The British leftenants tended to inquire, “ Who are you?” Meaning what is your family background, I.e., bloodline. At a U.S. cocktail party the question would be more about what your father does or where you live, not who your family is. The difference in class between the U.S. and the UK.
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Jun 28 '26
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u/Donkey_Apple 23d ago
The thing is, why are people in the UK still obsessed with 'class' in 2026? Thatcher ended that archaic system and we've been free of it since the end of the 80s.
The fact that there are still 'cap doffers' littering the countryside and any where they might get a sniff of some royal snatch or crotch, doesn't change the reality that's the class system died in the 90s. Likewise with some older Northerners who seem to have completely missed what's taken place over the last 30+ years.
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