Question

Since the United States lacks a history of nobility, as in Europe, many people in this country think of social classes in the U.S. as

a. highly stratified.
b. mostly upper-class.
c. mostly middle-class.
d. mostly working-class.

Answer 1

In the United States, many people think of social classes as mostly middle-class, with understanding that there is also an upper and lower class, and that social mobility is a feature of the society.

Step-by-step explanation:

Many people in the United States think of social classes as mostly middle-class. This is due to the perception that a few people are very rich, a few are poor, but most are well-off within the middle of the social strata, aligning with the idea of pursuing the American Dream. Notably, the category of middle class has been dominant, yet concerns have arisen from the shrinking of this group over the past few decades. In fact, economic and sociological studies suggest that the middle class went from making up 69 percent of the population in 1971 to just 51 percent in 2020, with its share of wealth also on a decline. The United States has three main social classes: upper class, middle class, and lower class, and social mobility or a shift between these classes is also a component of the national social structure.