Adolescents' understanding of social class: A comparison of white upper middle class and working class youth

Purpose: Social class is increasingly being recognized as an important fact or in the development of population- based variation in health among teens. However, little consensus exists regarding its measurement or conceptualiz ation. Methods: This study examined beliefs about social class of 48 working class and 50 upper middle class 16-year-old, white teens. Results: Working class teens were more likely to mis-classify themselves wi th regard to social class position. Significant class differences were pres ent in beliefs regarding social mobility, parents' equity, equality of oppo rtunity within society, and financial status as adults. How this conceptual ization of social class translates into population-based variation in healt h remains an important area for further inquiry. (C) Society for Adolescent medicine, 2000.