Lecture 09 social life in the uk

9.1. Social life.

9.1.1. In the past, Britain used to be a class society. Yet some class distinctions have become blurred in Britain. Today only a small number of people are considered upper class, and their former influence in conservative politics has been largely taken over by wealthy people in the middle class. Liberal and left-wing politics have middle-class leadership as well. The British economy has created many semiprofessional and technical jobs, so it is no longer easy to tell which jobs are middle class and which are working class. Moreover, growing national affluence has brought greater social mobility between the working class and the middle class. Although prosperity may move working-class into the middle class, no amount of wealth will guarantee upper-class status, which is determined by land and family.

9.1.2. The increasingly widespread distribution of capital has also blurred class lines, as more money in the form of stocks, bonds, property, and bank accounts is in more hands. Many middle-class employees and workers have become owners of capital, particularly in the form of pension plans. There is less inequality in wealth, due to the spread of home ownership, and government programs have been created to help equalize access to health services and education.

9.1.3. There have been many changes in traditional values as well. Family structure has changed. Married couples have an average of two children, a figure that has not changed since World War II. However, marriage rates fell in the 1980s, and there has been a significant shift from formal marriage to stable cohabitation. In the mid-1990s one-third of births were to parents who were not formally married. As the percentage of women in Britain’s workforce has risen, women have struggled for equal pay for equal work, a goal as yet unachieved. The state passed an Equal Pay Act that has been aggressively applied to civil service, teaching, and local government jobs. The Sex Discrimination Act made discrimination unlawful between men and women in employment, education, training, housing, facilities, and services. Over 100 women were elected to the House of Commons out of a total 659 members.

9.1.4. The United Kingdom is generally a prosperous, well-educated, and tolerant society, and ethnic differences have sparked relatively little violence and hostility. Even so, black and Asian populations tend to cluster in certain urban neighborhoods, where economic and social disadvantages have become pronounced. Integration of these diverse ethnic groups into the workforce, as well as socialization into the broader society, including intermarriage, has been remarkably smooth. Percentages of employment for various ethnic minorities and whites are generally similar. Many individuals from ethnic minorities hold managerial and professional positions, and several sit in Parliament.

9.2. Social issues.

9.2.1. Perhaps the worst feature of the current class situation in Britain is the existence of a permanent underclass. These people are on the dole, that is, on welfare, permanently. They subsist in poor surroundings with little hope that they or their children, who usually drop out of school, will break out of the cycle of poverty. Another social problem, somewhat related to this underclass, has been the rise in crime and violence. Vandalism and rowdiness by youths are problems in British society, and the brutality of British football (soccer) fans has gained international notoriety. The degree to which racism is a problem in Britain is a source of debate. Some say it is a hidden tradition and others believe that decency and fair play prevail.

9.2.2. Most British people attribute their origins to the early invaders, calling themselves English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, or Ulsterites. The remaining share of the population are minorities who arrived, for the most part, in the decades following the end of World War II. These minorities—Chinese, Asian Indians, Pakistanis, Africans, and Caribbean people of African ancestry—came to Britain in substantial numbers after 1945. Immigration from the South Asian subcontinent (India and Pakistan) stabilized in the 1990s, but immigration from African countries continued to rise. These newer ethnic groups tend to live in the more urban and industrial areas of England, especially in London, Birmingham, and Leeds. It is estimated that 60 percent of black Britons live in the London area, along with 41 percent of the Asian Indian population.

9.2.3. British houses are made with concrete blocks or concrete-like building materials because the dampness of the climate causes wood to rot. In general, British people are much more tolerant of the damp chill and less tolerant of heat over 26°C (80°F). Clothes reflect the climate, and woolen goods, particularly tweeds, are famous products. British cooking has a reputation for overcooked vegetables and unhealthy fried foods. This situation has improved considerably in recent years, and foreign foods, particularly those from southern Europe and Asia, have become popular.

9.2.4. The British tend to socialize by joining clubs and hobby groups. The local public house, or pub, serves alcoholic beverages and is an important gathering place, particularly for the working class. Although British society is overwhelmingly urban and suburban, links with its agricultural past are reflected in the popularity of gardening. Politeness is a hallmark of British society, and shouting is regarded as rude. People are often reserved and do not want to show emotion in public, although this appears to be changing. Sports are important, and an estimated 29 million people participate in a variety of sports. Many more are spectators of professional sports. Fishing is popular, but the few people who take up hunting come under considerable criticism for doing so. Reading, music, culture, and the arts are pursued zealously by countless millions.