SOCIAL CLASS- is about status,how much money you have and your overall position in the hierarchy.Traditionally in the UK,there are 3 main social class groups (+1 newer group).

WORKING CLASS; Most people in the UK used to be working class,but in the last 40/50 years many of them have become middle class.The working class in the UK is a shrinking group.They have the following key characteristics;

MANUAL LABOUR- working class jobs tended to involve manual labour/unskilled labour in the shipbuilding/minding industries.
TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES- many families had traditional roles- e.g. male breadwinner and female housewife.
STRONG COMMUNITIES- the w/c communities had a strong sense of solidarity and togetherness.Outsides were distrusted.
POLITICS- strong support for the Labour party and their trade unions.
IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION- the w/c seek immediate gratification rather than delayed gratification.
POOR QUALITY HOUSING- w/c housing located in cheaper and less desirable areas- few people own their houses- they live in council or social housing.

CHANGES TO W/C CULTURE;

DECLINE OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES- this has mostly moved abroad creating a crisis for working class males in particular.
GROWTH OF THE SERVICE SECTOR- this has brought more non-manual employment opportunities such as call-centres/hospitality.
INCREASING HOME OWNERSHIP- Mrs Thatcher gave people the 'right to buy' their council house- this created a new wave of home ownership amongst the working class.

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