The social class into which one is born has a profound influence on one’s entire life. One faces more disadvantages and fewer life chances at the bottom of the social stratification system. One’s mental health, education, occupation, political behavior, religious affiliations, social participation, and attitudes are all affected by one’s social class in general the higher an individual’s social status, the longer is his/her life expectancy. Poor nutrition, inadequate housing, and insufficient medical treatment contribute to higher infant mortality rates in the lower classes.
Life chances refer to the carious opportunities that a person has to move ahead in life and achieve his/her goals included are the chance to receive a college education, the chance to live a long and healthy life, the chance to enter a profession, and the chance to marry within or outside one’s social class. The availability of these life chances is unevenly distributed; being highly dependent on one’s social class.
Furthermore, each class in a unique subculture because it shares certain basic values and lifestyles. Lifestyle includes ways of spending leisure time, socialization practices, participation in clubs and political activities, and the manner of spending money, consuming goods, and practicing religion. Each social class has a unique way of engaging in these activities.
