A recent survey has found that more than a third of Britons believe they have changed social class during their lifetime. The research, conducted by Attest, reveals that individuals from upper-middle and upper-class backgrounds are most likely to identify with more than one social category, coining the term 'polyclass' to describe this phenomenon. Approximately 6 million people in the UK consider themselves to belong to multiple social classes simultaneously.
Working-Class Perspectives
The study indicates that working-class individuals are the least likely to report a change in class or identification with multiple classes. Seven out of ten working-class respondents stated they remain in the same social category as they were born into. This suggests a stronger attachment to their original class identity, potentially due to deeper cultural and community roots.
Professor Dominic Abrams, a social psychologist at the University of Kent, noted that class boundaries are more blurred now than in previous generations. Traditional classifications like ABC1 are no longer reliable indicators of beliefs or attitudes. He observed that the alignment between social class and political party affiliation is weakening, making traditional categorisations less useful.
Millennials and Class Mobility
Millennials are particularly likely to report class mobility, with nearly half stating they have either changed class or identify with more than one. This generation appears more fluid in their class identity, possibly due to greater opportunities for social and geographic movement.
Working-class people are more likely to alter their behaviour or speech to fit in with other social or professional groups. However, a significant third of working-class respondents said they never felt the need to change to fit in, indicating a strong sense of authenticity.
Happiness Gap
Separate research by the Sutton Trust highlights a 'happiness gap' between social classes. Even when working-class individuals achieve high-status jobs, they do not catch up with their middle or upper-class peers in terms of wellbeing. People from working-class backgrounds are a third more likely to experience low wellbeing compared to those from professional backgrounds. While upward mobility improves happiness, those from affluent backgrounds still enjoy the highest levels of wellbeing and are protected from the effects of downward mobility, likely due to financial safety nets.
Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust, emphasised that social mobility improves lives but does not guarantee happiness. He stated, 'Even when people climb the social ladder, their long-term wellbeing is still shaped by where they started. Opportunity and life satisfaction are about far more than just pay, promotions and property. Family and friends, education levels, community ties and work-life balance all play their part.' He called for tackling inequality in education, opening up access to careers, and investing in communities to ensure that opportunities for greater wellbeing are genuinely open to everyone.
