According to Berns (2010), socioeconomic status refers to the “rank or position within a society, based on social and economic factors” (p. 97). There are different classes to describe a person’s socioeconomic status. They are upper class, middle class, lower class, and underclass.

Upper class families tend to have inherited their wealth. They have a family tradition of social prominence that goes back throughout several generations and puts emphasis on the external family. Countless upper class families consider proper rearing more important than formal schooling in preparing to achieve adult roles. Children of upper class who do receive schooling normally attend private schools and colleges. Their focus of education is usually on an occupation that holds a high status, such as business, medicine, and law. Children of upper class families may be perceived as more knowledgeable because of this. In addition, children receive proper health care because their parents can afford it (Berns, 2010).

Underclass families tend to have a feeling of hopelessly regarding their ability to gain wealth. They feel as though they are stuck where they are at and cannot get out. “The underclass is composed of many faces: female-headed families; street-living homeless alcoholics, drug users, and the mentally ill who have been deinstitutionalized; the destitute elderly, illegal aliens, rural families from economically depressed areas; and any other group who, for whatever reason, cannot get an adequate education, job, or housing” (Berns, 2010, p. 101). Children of underclass families do not have access to private schools and colleges normally because of their lack of money. They have an increased exposure to drugs, crime, and disease. They are more likely to be victims of child abuse and have insufficient health care (Berns, 2010).

Berns, R.M. (2010). Child, family, school,